RANGERS 9 The Yankees may have lost a ball game, that's one thing, but they lost a huge piece to the puzzle as well. Joba Chamberlin whose move into the rotation has been controversial from the start, just got a whole lot more interesting as Chamberlin left Monday's game with an apparent right shoulder injury. It was not disclossed as to what type of injury it was, but don't be surprised if Joba lands on the 15 day DL. Why? John Maine of the Mets has had shoulder trouble for a month, and is now on the DL with shoulder stiffness. Who knows what it will be for Joba.
Last year the Yankees took extra care of Chamberlin, creating the infamous "Joba Rules" keeping him to a limited pitch count, and only pitching him out of the bullpen. Joba became a immediate success out of the pen as the bridge to closer Mariano Rivera, and possible successor to the Greatest Closer of all time.
Yet, Yankee ownership wanted Joba in the roation, and Joe Giardi gave into the demands. Joba has pitched well. His best start came about 10 days ago when he went seven strong innings against the Red Sox, but with this injury it is sure to conjur up talk on radio for the next 24 to 48 hours about whether the Yankees made a mistake making Joba a starter, or whether they should put him back in the pen, where he was so valuable.
It's tough to say. Chien Ming Wang is not coming back any time soon, and it will be difficult to aquire someone before the August 31 deadline for a trade through waviers, becasue a team like Boston or Tampa Bay could swoop in and claim a player the Yankees want killing the deal.
As for the game it was homerun derby. Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano went back to back with homers in the fourth to give New York a 3-0 lead. But, the Rangers came back. David Murphy hit a two run jack to make it 3-2; later Michael Young hit a three run jack to give Texas a brief 5-4 lead.
Finally in the ninth with the game tied, Marlon Byrd blasted a grand slam to center to give Texas a 9-5 lead.
No comments:
Post a Comment