Yankees 2, Tigers 1: That's the way we like it!

by Ed Valentine on Jul 19, 2009 5:31 PM EDT in Game Recap

Umm ... maybe we can stop talking about sending Joba Chamberlain to the bullpen. Or the minor leagues. Or some other team. For at least a few days. Or, until the next time he struggles.

The Yankees' prized young right-hander certainly did not struggle Sunday. Pitching in front of a house full of Yankee greats on Old-Timers' Day, Joba reminded all of us why the Yankees think he could be the team's next great starter.

The debate will rage, but Joba (5-2) was dominant Sunday, as the Yankees won, 2-1, to sweep Detroit. Chamberlain struck out 8, allowed just three hits and dialed up a slew of 97 mile-per-hour hit-'em-if-you-can heaters the last couple of innings of his 108-pitch outing.

There was even a Joba fist-pump when he pitched out of a sixth-inning jam. I know I loved it, even if Goose Gossage probably didn't approve.

Joba was backed up by sparkling work from the 'Phil-thies,' -- Coke and Hughes, and by the amazing Mariano Rivera.

The Yankee pitchers had to be that good because Edwin Jackson of the Tigers was terrific. Jackson (7-5) is a great example of why patience with young arms can pay off. The Dodgers gave up on him, the Rays let him get away and now he is one of the best starters in the league.

Another great sign for what he hope will be a great second half is that the Yankee runs came on loooooong home runs by Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira. No Stadium cheapies there.

Making the day even better, Boston lost to Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays. That let the Yankees pull within a game of the top spot in the American League East.

The best thing about the day, though, was definitely Chamberlain. We saw the 'could be a great starter,' Joba. Let's hope we see that guy a lot down the stretch.

Next up, a three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles.

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yanks

here come the yanks coming down the tracks ,going too knock the red sox riht on there backs.

by JEETS on Jul 19, 2009 5:35 PM EDT reply actions

It's all about consistency

All he needs is one good outing per half-season to stay the golden boy? He’s gets one good start out of every 4, and has a dead average ERA.

Let’s see him string together a few good starts in a row before we put anything to rest. In the meantime, if we could get a Halladay for a Chamberlain and a prospect…. The price is higher than that, so the point is moot, but one good start shouldn’t swing the debate any more than the “Joba should have a tenured position in the Yankees rotation” crowd would want one bad start to.

by ivan256 on Jul 20, 2009 5:14 PM EDT reply actions