Chamberlain Pitch Count Hits 100 in Win Over Padres
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Joe Girardi signaled to the bullpen before he reached the mound. He wasn’t going to let Joba Chamberlain talk him out of it.
The Yankees manager would love for the converted reliever to get his first win as a starter, but not at the expense of throwing too many pitches. Chamberlain would have to settle for another no-decision and a career-high nine strikeouts in New York’s 2-1 win Thursday to sweep the San Diego Padres.
“Your heart wants to do it,” Girardi said, “but you head tells you that you need to make a change.”
Chamberlain gave up one run on four hits in 5 2-3 innings in his fourth start. He also helped prevent a run with his catcher’s skills, blocking home plate to make a tag.
Then Chamberlain’s former mates in the bullpen showed they’re doing just fine without him, holding the Padres scoreless the rest of the way.
Another key hit from Alex Rodriguez drove in the go-ahead run. The Yankees ran their way to scoring opportunities, setting up both their runs with stolen bases. San Diego, meanwhile, was running its way into outs, as Adrian Gonzalez was thrown out at home plate twice in the first four innings.
New York extended its longest winning streak of the season to seven and improved to seven games above .500 for the first time this year. The Padres have dropped five of six.
Rodriguez, who homered in the previous four games, drove in Derek Jeter with a single in the sixth off Josh Banks (2-1).