Joba Needs a Relocation Program

Real estate is all about "location, location, location", and Joba Chamberlain didn't have any tonight against the Texas Rangers. Chamberlain, pitching for the first time in eight days, couldn't hold a 4-0 lead and the Yankees lost to the Rangers 10-9 when a 9th inning rally fell just short.

The long rest between starts was an effort to abide by the "Joba Rules" so that Chamberlain wouldn't exceed the innings limit the Yankees have set for him. It would also enable him to be used as a starter in the playoffs, should the Yankees make it there (hey, nothing is a given). But tonight Chamberlain continued hisstruggles in front of his home crowd (3-3, 5.13 as opposed to 2-1, 3.15 on the road) and couldn't locate his fastball, or for that matter, any of his other pitches. The result was adisastrous 5th inning that turned a 4-2 Yankees' lead into a 7-4 deficit.

Just as the Rangers had scored both runs with two outs in the 2nd inning, they did all their damage with two outs in the 4th. Chamberlain retired Ian Kinsler on a pop up and struck out slugger Nelson Cruz, but then walked Ivan Rodriguez. A barrage of singles (five) followed, as the Rangers blooped, lined, and grounded their way to lead (we can already hear Joe Girardi saying the ball wasn't hit that hard - it won't work Joe). After Chris Davis' single put two aboard, rookies Elvus Andrus (3 RBI) and Julio Borbon brought home the tying and go ahead runs with base hits. Michael Young and Josh Hamilton then chipped in with RBI hits before Chamberlain finally got Marlon Byrd looking on a 3-2 pitch to end the misery. Chamberlain's last pitch was his 96th, and 44th in the inning.

It still appeared the Yankees might win the game or at least send it to extra innings when they rallied for four runs against Jason Grilli and Frank Francisco in the 9th inning. But with runners on 1st and 2nd and no one out, and Nick Swisher at the plate, Girardi called for the bunt. After fouling a pitch off, Swisher, who has three sac bunts this season, bunted into the air for an easy out. Another fundamental mistake, this time with base running, then ended the game. Pinch-runner Jerry Hairston Jr. strayed too far off of 2nd base and was doubled off when Melky Cabrera lined out to shortstop Elvus Andrus.

Things certainly started out well on the night as the Yankees began their six game homestand. Mark Teixeira drew a 2-out walk from starter Kevin Millwood and Alex Rodriguez blooped a single to right. Hideki Matsui ripped a double down the right field that took a funny hop, allowing A-Rod to follow Teixeira home for a 2-0 Yankees lead. Jorge Posada then deposited his 16th home run of the season into the right field seats and the Yankees were rolling. Unfortunately, the Yankees pitching never got on a roll.

Game Notes

Derek Jeter had another multi-hit game (2 hits), putting him within 18 hits of tying Lou Gehrig's franchise record of 2,721 hits.

Brett Gardner's recovery from a fractured thumb is going well and he hopes to be activated sometime within the next week.

Joe Girardi has already announced that Joba Chamberlain will pitch next on his normal five days rest- Sunday against the Chicago White Sox.