Yankees' ace Chamberlain delivers in first road start

By Baseball  |   2008-6-15  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

YOUNG prospect Joba Chamberlain delivered a solid performance from the mound in his first major league road start on Friday, helping the New York Yankees to a 2-1 interleague win over the Astros in Houston.

Chamberlain is slowly being converted into a starter by the Yankees and the 22-year-old turned in his best effort to date, scattering six hits over six innings at Minute Maid Park.

"He's been throwing the ball great for us all year," New York manager Joe Girardi said. "He's using all his pitches. We're happy with the way he's throwing the ball."

Expectations for Chamberlain have been high since he made his major league debut as a reliever last season, but he lasted just 2 1/3 innings against Toronto in his first start on June 3 and 4 1/3 innings against Kansas City last Sunday.

However, Chamberlain turned in a tidy effort on Friday.

The Yankees are counting on Chamberlain to help them recover from a sluggish start. The contenders in the American League East moved two games over .500 for the first time since April 24 at 35-33.

Derek Jeter's eighth inning home run powered the Yankees to the win after an RBI single from Alex Rodriguez in the first inning. New York reliever Jose Veras (1-0) took the win, and Doug Brocail (2-1) was tagged with the loss.

In other interleague games, it was: Blue Jays 3, Cubs 2; Reds 3, Red Sox 1; Rays 7, Marlins 3; Braves 5, Angels 2; White Sox 5, Rockies 4; Twins 10, Brewers 2; Orioles 9, Pirates 6; Mets 7, Rangers 1; Athletics 5, Giants 1; Diamondbacks 1, Royals 0 (in 10 innings); Indians 9, Padres 5; Tigers 5, Dodgers 0; and Nationals 7, Mariners 6. In the National League, it was: Phillies 20, Cardinals 2.