Yanks Sweep Padres For 7th Straight Win

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
San Diego	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0		1	5	0
N.Y. Yankees	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	X		2	5	0

With each outing Joba Chamberlain proves more and more why making him a starter was the right decision. Today he struck out 9 in 5.2 IP, while allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 3 walks. He did have some control issues, and threw too many pitches (100 in 5.2 IP), but that happens with young pitchers.

The one run he allowed came in the 4th when the Padres had 1st and 2nd with nobody 1 out and Tony Clark hit a ground-rule double to drive in a run. But Joba settled down and retired the next two batters of the inning.

He got into several jams on the day, the worst being the 2nd inning when the Padres loaded the bases with nobody out, but Joba was able to strike out Scott Hairston, then after Adrian Gonzalez was thrown out at home trying to score on a ball that got past Jose Molina, he struck out Khalil Greene to end the inning without allowing a run.

All in all it was a very good start for Joba. He now has a 2.45 ERA as a starter.

Jose Veras pitches 1.1 innings in relief and although he walked 2 did not allow a run. Kyle Farnsworth, apparently back in the setup role (damn it!) did a very good job. He didn't allow a run, and struck out two.

Mariano Rivera pitched the 9th, struck out the side in order, and picked up his 3rd save in as many days. In the series Mo's line was 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K.

Yankees' pitchers struck out 15 Padres today and 40 during the three game series. The 15 strikeouts was the most for the Yanks since June 3, 2002 against Baltimore when they also K'd 15.

Today's win improves the Yankees' record to 40 - 33.

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Chamberlain	5.2	4	1	1	3	9	0	2.36
Veras (W, 2-0)	1.1	0	0	0	2	1	0	3.00
Farnsworth (H, 8)	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	4.05
Rivera (S, 20)	1.0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0.79

PADRES PITCHING

The Yankees' offense was held in check most of the day by Padres' starter Josh Banks, who pitched very well. The only way the Yanks could score today was by manufacturing runs, and that's exactly what they did. Down 1-0 in the 5th Melky Cabrera walked with 1 out. He then stole 2nd and 3rd, and then scored on a Jose Molina sac fly to tie the game.

Derek Jeter led off the 6th with a single, he then stole second, Bobby Abreu moved him over to third on a ground out, and then Alex Rodriguez lined an RBI single to give the Yanks a 2-1 lead.

The Yankees stole four bases on the day to increase their series total to 8. When was the last time the Yankees stole 8 bases in a series? Anyway, I gotta give props to Joe Girardi and his staff, they found San Diego's weakness and took advantage of it.

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, LF	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	.331
Jeter, SS	3	1	2	0	1	0	0	.276
Abreu, RF	4	0	0	0	0	0	5	.278
Rodriguez, 3B	4	0	1	1	0	1	2	.335
Giambi, 1B	3	0	0	0	0	3	3	.259
Betemit, 1B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.254
Posada, DH	3	0	0	0	1	0	1	.316
Cano, 2B	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	.228
Cabrera, CF	2	1	0	0	1	0	0	.252
Molina, C	2	0	1	1	0	1	0	.221
Totals	28	2	5	2	3	5	14
BATTING 2B: Molina (13, Hampson). TB: Damon; Jeter 2; Rodriguez; Molina 2. RBI: Molina (9), Rodriguez (41). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Giambi 2; Cano; Abreu. SF: Molina. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING SB: Rodriguez (8, 2nd base off Hampson/Barrett), Cabrera 2 (5, 2nd base off Banks/Barrett, 3rd base off Banks/Barrett), Jeter (5, 2nd base off Banks/Barrett).

PADRES OFFENSE

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Joba Chamberlain (5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K)

HONORABLE MENTION: The Yankees Bullpen (3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K)

The Yankees open up a 3 game series against the Cincinnati Reds tomorrow night at The Stadium. Mike Mussina takes the mound for the Yanks and he will face off against NL Cy Young candidate Edinson Volquez. Volquez leads MLB in ERA (1.64) and strikeouts (105). First pitch: 7:05 p.m. - TV: YES - Radio: WCBS 880