05/10: Joba, Yanks Take Rubber Game vs. Orioles
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees have looked rather flat in this series in Baltimore, but were somehow able to take two out of three thanks to Friday's gem thrown by CC Sabathia and a three-run homer by Johnny Damon in the rubber match earlier this afternoon. The Yankees got a solid start from Joba Chamberlain, as well, and the Yankees got a key 5–3 victory before heading to Toronto for a big series with the first-place Blue Jays.
Joba Chamberlain was solid for the third straight time, this time delivering a start that was in a way similar to his start last Tuesday against Boston. After allowing a three-run homer to Aubrey Huff with one out in the 1st inning that put the Orioles on top 3–1, Joba settled down to pitch 5 and 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball. He did get himself into some trouble, but was able to get a big double play in the 3rd, and he got out of a 2nd and 3rd, one out jam in the 4th without any damage, as well.
Despite Chamberlain's effort, the Yankees trailed most of the way until Johnny Damon put a 3–2 pitch into the right field seats for a three-run homer to give the Yankees a two-run lead in the 8th. All five Yankee runs were scored via the long ball (Teixeira and Cano homered, as well). Mariano Rivera pitched a scoreless 9th to record his 6th save of the season.
The game was not without controversy, as Aubrey Huff made two vintage-Joba fist pumps while he was rounding the bases after his home run in the first. Huff for his part said that it was all in good fun and that he did it because Joba had done it twice before after striking him out. But in the 1st inning? Really? That is just way too rehearsed. Baseball can be good fun without that stuff.
The game also featured something in the 3rd inning that I don't believe I've ever seen before — a player being retired on a walk...sort of. Adam Jones was attempting to steal with a 3-ball count on a pitch that was eventually ruled ball four. Jones was of course automatically awarded 2nd base but, not seeing the pitch, made a bad slide on the steal attempt and overran the bag. Derek Jeter applied the tag as Jones was trying to get back, and he was called out.
The Yanks will get the day off tomorrow and then will head to the Rogers Centre in Toronto to take on the division-leading Blue Jays. The opening game features a very interesting pitching matchup, as A.J. Burnett will be taking on his former teammate Roy Halladay. Game starts at 7:07 ET (what's with all these weird start times?)
Recap records: Patrick: 9–4, Seamus: 5–8, Andrew: 1–4.
Joba Chamberlain was solid for the third straight time, this time delivering a start that was in a way similar to his start last Tuesday against Boston. After allowing a three-run homer to Aubrey Huff with one out in the 1st inning that put the Orioles on top 3–1, Joba settled down to pitch 5 and 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball. He did get himself into some trouble, but was able to get a big double play in the 3rd, and he got out of a 2nd and 3rd, one out jam in the 4th without any damage, as well.
Despite Chamberlain's effort, the Yankees trailed most of the way until Johnny Damon put a 3–2 pitch into the right field seats for a three-run homer to give the Yankees a two-run lead in the 8th. All five Yankee runs were scored via the long ball (Teixeira and Cano homered, as well). Mariano Rivera pitched a scoreless 9th to record his 6th save of the season.
The game was not without controversy, as Aubrey Huff made two vintage-Joba fist pumps while he was rounding the bases after his home run in the first. Huff for his part said that it was all in good fun and that he did it because Joba had done it twice before after striking him out. But in the 1st inning? Really? That is just way too rehearsed. Baseball can be good fun without that stuff.
The game also featured something in the 3rd inning that I don't believe I've ever seen before — a player being retired on a walk...sort of. Adam Jones was attempting to steal with a 3-ball count on a pitch that was eventually ruled ball four. Jones was of course automatically awarded 2nd base but, not seeing the pitch, made a bad slide on the steal attempt and overran the bag. Derek Jeter applied the tag as Jones was trying to get back, and he was called out.
The Yanks will get the day off tomorrow and then will head to the Rogers Centre in Toronto to take on the division-leading Blue Jays. The opening game features a very interesting pitching matchup, as A.J. Burnett will be taking on his former teammate Roy Halladay. Game starts at 7:07 ET (what's with all these weird start times?)
Recap records: Patrick: 9–4, Seamus: 5–8, Andrew: 1–4.
