Jeter an Astro Beater

We apologize for the late recap of last night's game, just got caught up in other things. A very well pitched game on the heels of Andy Pettitte's gem on Thursday night. Joba Chamberlain had his longest start of the season, though he didn't figure in the decision and Kyle Farnsworth gave Mariano Rivera a rest by picking up a save in the Yankees 2-1 victory over the Houston Astros.

This one was all about the pitching as Chamberlain and former Yankee one year wonder Shawn Chacon each allowed a run. Derek Jeter snapped the 1-1 tie in the 8th inning with his 4th home run of the season. Jose Veras picked up the victory with a pair of dominant innings, striking out three of the six batters he faced. Then it was up to Farnsworth who got assignment because Rivera had pitched five times in six days.

Farnsworth hit Ty Wiggington on a 3-2 pitch to start the inning, but Michael Bourn's sacrifice bunt went right back to Farnsworth. With Geoff Blum pinch-hitting for Brad Ausmus, Wiggington was throwing out trying to steal 2nd base by Jose Molina who had replaced Jorge Posada in the 7th inning. Farnsworth then threw a wicked breaking pitch past a swinging Blum for strike three and just like that the Yankees were 2 games over .500 for the first time since April 29.

News and Notes

Jorge Posada was removed as part of a double switch and even though Joe Girardi tried to downplay it, it was clearly a defensive move. The aggressive Astros had stolen 2nd base four times with Posada behind the plate. He did throw out Bourn attempting to steal 3rd. Joba Chamberlain also picked off Lance Berkman off of 2nd base on the front end of a double steal. Berkman was charged with a caught stealing as he attempted to reach 3rd base.

Chamberlain threw 88 pitches, 54 of which were strikes. Girardi said he would have gone out to start the bottom of the 7th if his spot in the order hadn't come up in the top of the inning. Chamberlain won't be on a pitch count when he faces the San Diego Padres on Thursday.
Derek Jeter's home run was the 199th of his career.