The Bronx Stop: A Yankees Blog

I don't know if I am the first to use this term, but I am going to patent it now...Joba The Ace.

Perfect.

Mark Feinsand/New York Daily News:

Starting next week, there might be some new Joba Rules.

After Andy Pettitte eased his way through the sixth and recorded the first two outs in the seventh, Joe Girardi made what is most likely his last bullpen call ever to the electric Joba Chamberlain.

Chamberlain entered the game and gave up a two-out single to Mora and then walked Markakis, throwing six of his first eight pitches for balls. Joba battled back to strike out Millar to end the inning, throwing 13 pitches to record one out.

Chamberlain then came back for the eighth, the inning in which he has made his reputation since entering the league last August. Other than mixing in a couple of curveballs, Chamberlain looked like his vintage self, setting the Orioles down in order, striking out both Ramon Hernandez and Jay Payton to end the inning.

After throwing just 28 pitches in the game, Chamberlain ran out to the bullpen before the bottom of the ninth, finishing off his day's work with another 22 pitches.

Chamberlain was scheduled to throw 50-55 pitches Wednesday night, which would line him up to throw 65-70 early next week. With Ian Kennedy on the disabled list, the Yankees could turn to Chamberlain to take his place in the rotation, starting Monday or Tuesday.

Chamberlain came back for the eighth, the inning in which he has made his reputation since entering the league last August. Other than mixing in a couple of curveballs, Chamberlain looked like his vintage self, setting the Orioles down in order, striking out both Ramon Hernandez and Jay Payton to end the inning.