8-3 win makes it eight straight

by Travis G on Jul 24, 2009 11:00 PM EDT in Game Recap

Joba Chamberlain had one of his best starts of the year, going seven innings with six Ks and only five baserunners. He was efficient, throwing 100 pitches, including just 26 in his last three frames. His fastball averaged 93 MPH, and he topped out at 96.

Derek Jeter and Melky Cabrera had three hits apiece. The only hitless Yankees were Matsui and Swisher, though they drew one and two walks, respectively.

It looked as though Brett Anderson might pitch a perfect game through the first two innings, as he struck out four with only 26 pitches. It was a seemingly innocent infield single by Robbie Cano that started a two-run rally. The big hit came two batters later when Melky lined a double down the left-field line. Jeter followed that up with a Jeterian single to right, accounting for the Yanks first run.

It was still a fairly close game until the eighth, when the Yanks tacked on four more, beginning with a Jorge Posada homer and assisted by a Santiago Casilla throwing error.

Phil Coke was impressive in one perfect inning, striking out two with just 13 pitches. Yankee pitchers were able to bear down when Athletics got into scoring position, not allowing a hit in six AB.

Andy Pettitte goes tomorrow at 1 p.m. vs. Gio Gonzalez.

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What do you guys think?

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/07/yankees-looking-at-downs.html#comments

by Yankz09 on Jul 24, 2009 11:05 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I think that if they did go out and get Downs

they might be a little lefty-heavy with Coke, Downs, and Marte on the way back.

But Downs has shown that he can get both lefties and righties out.

If the price is right…..

by Lord Duggan on Jul 24, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Downs just blew the game tonight!

by fob22 on Jul 24, 2009 11:53 PM EDT reply actions

I'm happy Joba is picking his game up...

That’s for all the doubters who want to trade him!!!

by Ragnar808 on Jul 25, 2009 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Around here we call those people

“fools”

by Lord Duggan on Jul 25, 2009 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Yah agreed

2 starts and counting that have not only been efficient, but just about dominating. He seems to get better as the game goes on. It almost seems that right now if you are going to score on him, do it early because he is going to shut the door.

I love to see him coming around. I still expect to see a couple rough starts, but it is nice to see him just going after batters instead of trying to be a finesse pitcher.

Also as a side note I’m glad to see him get fired up out there, I think it is good for him to be that way it is just a part of him. If he holds back on that it makes me wonder what else is he holding back on.

by syllk on Jul 25, 2009 2:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I think the best Joba for the Yankees

is a Joba who is aggressive, and who reaches back and tries to blow his fastball by hitters, not thinking about “having something left in the tank for later.”

If, by extension of that, and it does seem this way, he needs to yell and fist pump, then by all means yell away. He does seem to pitch better when he’s fired up, so I think the best thing for him to do is to try and throw hard right away.

by Lord Duggan on Jul 25, 2009 2:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Building on that...

I noticed during that second-and-third jam that Joba didn’t just pump his fist on the inning-ending strikeout; he also sort of thumped his chest and got fired up on the strikeout before that. It really seems to help him build momentum and pursue hitters. I’d love to see this sort of Joba (albeit with more control) at the top of the rotation for years to come.

That being said, Joba’s going to have the whole league gunning for him if he becomes known for fist-pumping. The best thing he can do in that case is to back up his histrionics with more big Ks.

by dzawaki on Jul 25, 2009 5:41 AM EDT up reply actions

WOW

Joba 2 good starts in a row. This one on normal rest, after he threw a gem the last tim out no less?

What’s gonna be the excuse for the Joba to the pen Cretins now?

It was against the A’s, call me when its against the 98’ Yanks? He came out for the 8th, but didn’t get an out (yea, cuz that never happens to veterans..)

He sure as FK isn’t injured either, so that idea has to be dead.

Is 2 good starts not enough? That’s probably it now.

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 25, 2009 7:19 AM EDT reply actions

Cretins huh?

I maintain my belief about his longterm viability as a starter.

I wouldn’t have much conviction if I just changed my mind after two starts, would I, unless you’re willing to change your mind after two bad ones, which clearly you are not.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 25, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

OK

prove my point, people will just come up with an argument against him no matter what.

2 starts doesn’t prove everything, but it shows something. It shows progress. You’ve wanted progress all season, yet you can’t see it when it smacks you right in the face.

And I don’t understand how you think he can’t be a starter long term. You can have doubts about any rookie starter in the history of baseball, what makes Joba so different?

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 25, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

It's definitely progress

I’m not denying any of that.

Does that mean I have to change my opinion of him based on two starts? You want everyone to change their mind based on that small sample, yet never budge off your opinion when you get hit with half a dozen crappy starts.

Why is that?

Joba still has to prove he can handle the rigors of starting every fifth day for an entire season. When he does that effectively and without injury, you’ll read a mile long column from me about how I’m a stupid schmuck.

Deal?

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 25, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL

deal.

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 25, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

And just so you know...

…I’ve already crafted that column, and it’s a doozy. I hope I get to write it, because if I do it means Joba is a stud starter to build a rotation around.

Still, don’t expect me to back off my opinion for even a second until then. That’s what makes me different from the reactionary “Joba to the pen” people like Francesa. I’m not basing it on anything buy my feelings about his durability.

I’m more than willing to be proven wrong when those questions are answered.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 25, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't back off my side

cuz when you see a guy throw like he has at times this season, that is why he is a starter.
He has shown he can be dominant at times, he has shown that he can be average in those 6 inning 3 run outings. He has shown he can overcome bad innings, like that Red Sox game where he struck out 12.

If durability is your main issue, then I don’t understand why you say bullpen based on that. Guys that throw 100mph and stick around forever, let alone a few seasons, are rare without breakdown sooner rather than later

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 25, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

"Yankee pitchers were able to bare down"

Not the image I wanted, thanks…

by waw on Jul 25, 2009 8:33 AM EDT reply actions

hah

is it ‘bear down’? oops.

by Travis G on Jul 26, 2009 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Joba showing 07 swag as a full time starter

Nice to see. But the innings limit puts a cloud on what could be. Why 150? Can we at least get 175? 180? Would it be that risky? I know he’s 23, but damn!…… Anybody know why Melky appeared to be reading the New York Post in I think the Bottom of the 3rd?

Jorge hit a friggn shotttttttttttttttt!!!!!

by ReggieARodJeter on Jul 25, 2009 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

re: "cretins"

I believe the comments calling people “cretins” for having an opinion violate the terms of service of this blog.

I’m happy to be proven wrong by Joba, I’d love to see him become a great starter. But anyone who didn’t see that he was sucking before the All Star break is, to use your term, a “cretin.”

Joba is not a cretin. He saw that he was stinking and he made changes. I hope his arm can hold out, I hope he doesn’t get injured trying to prove his bosses right in using him as a starter this soon on this level.

But if he blows his arm out, then I guess I’d get kicked off the site for calling you a “cretin” for so desperately wanting him to start games.

Pretty pathetic.

by 209209 on Jul 26, 2009 6:53 AM EDT reply actions

Cretins is reserved

to those that have no basis for Joba in the pen, i.e. I saw him there so that’s where he “belongs”. Mike Francesca = cretin. That’s who I refer too. If some of those folks have been on this site and simply look at a bad stretch and think he’s a reliever automatically, those also are cretins.

Those that come up with an argument as to why he shouldn’t be a starter or whatever the argument is against Joba (DH?) are not cretins. I guess I was too general and I apologize for it if you are offended.

I could care less if Joba sucked this year, or even his arm fell off this year; you still try him as a starter. As we’ve seen with Hughes and Aceves and Phil Coke (25th round pick) its possible to find guys from all over, maybe even on a year to year basis, to come in and be effective relievers.

Injury risks are an argument against 100% of all rookie to second year starters. You don’t know how any of them will hold up for a season. Just saying that he will not be injured throwing 100mph out of the pen is 100% wrong too; he was just as likely to blow his arm out (probably more severely too) doing that than doing what he’s doing now. 2008 was handled horribly wrong by the Yanks in switching him back and forth, and probably led to the inconsistency this season. Is he overcoming it now? 2 starts don’t a career make, but the AS break seemed to make him a different guy.

So if you want to question his long term durability as a starter? Fine, its a valid argument with any starter tho and one I will have until he pitches a few seasons. But those CRETINS I refer to are the ones who just want him in the pen to feel better about themselves rather than give the kid a damned chance.

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 26, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions