Joba Improves As Yanks Roll Over Reds 7-1

FINAL	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Cincinnati	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0		1	6	0
NY Yankees	0	1	1	1	0	0	4	0	X		7	14	1

Not that spring training starts are that important, but after two terrible outings from Joba Chamberlain it was very nice to see the real Joba show up tonight. He was throwing strikes (20 of 29 pitches for strikes) and he was throwing in the mid to high 90's, both very good signs. In three innings Joba allowed a run on three hits, and struck out three. He probably shouldn't have given up a run, but Brett Gardner misplayed a ball and turned what could have, and maybe should have been an out into a RBI triple. But all in all it was a good night for Joba.

Even he was relieved. "I'd be lying to you if I didn't say it was a sigh of relief," Chamberlain said. "There was a sense of urgency to get it going. You understand that there's work to be done, but you also have to have that kick in the rear end every once in a while."

Phil Coke followed Joba with two scoreless innings. He allowed three hits, didn't walk a batter, and struck out three.

Kei Igawa pitched two hitless innings and struck out two. I don't expect anything from him this year, nor should you, but in five innings this spring he's given up just three hits in eight innings and has struck out six.

Christian Garcia and Anthony Claggett both pitched scoreless innings with two strikeouts apiece.

It was a good night for Yankees pitching all around as they allowed just one run on six hits, walked only one, and struck out 12.

Although he couldn't get a bunt down when he was asked Brett Gardner had another good offensive game. He went 2-for-3 with a RBI. Cody Ransom and Ramiro Pena also had two hits on the night. Ransom drove in a run, and Pena doubled and scored two.

Shelley Duncan hit a 3-run homer in his only at-bat, his second of the spring. Juan Miranda went 1-for-3 and also homered, a solo shot in the 4th.

Austin Jackson went 1-for-1 with a RBI on the night. Johnny Damon (1-for-3), Hideki Matsui (1-for-2), Xavier Nady (1-for-2), Jesus Montero (1-for-1), and Angel Berroa (1-for-3) also had one hit each.

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Gardner, CF	3	0	2	1	0	0	0	.417
Jackson, A, CF	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	.267
Damon, LF	3	0	1	0	0	0	1	.211
Rodriguez, J, LF	1	1	0	0	0	0	2	.308
Nady, RF	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	.211
Duncan, S, RF	1	1	1	3	0	0	0	.385
Matsui, DH	2	1	1	0	1	0	1	.400
1-Cash, PR-DH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.400
Ransom, 3B	3	0	2	1	0	0	1	.348
Russo, 3B	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Molina, J, C	2	0	0	0	1	0	2	.278
2-Montero, PR-C	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.714
Miranda, 1B	3	1	1	1	0	0	3	.143
Leone, 1B	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.188
Berroa, SS	3	0	1	0	0	0	1	.476
3-Nunez, E, PR-SS	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	.455
Pena, 2B	3	2	2	0	0	1	0	.316
Bernier, 2B	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.200
Totals	33	7	14	7	2	4	14
1-Ran for Matsui in the 6th. 2-Ran for Molina, J in the 6th. 3-Ran for Berroa in the 7th.
BATTING 2B: Matsui (1, Masset), Pena (1, Masset). HR: Miranda (1, 4th inning off Masset, 0 on, 2 out), Duncan, S (2, 7th inning off Smith, J, 2 on, 1 out). TB: Gardner 2; Jackson, A; Damon; Nady; Duncan, S 4; Matsui 2; Ransom 2; Montero; Miranda 4; Berroa; Pena 3. RBI: Ransom (2), Gardner (5), Miranda (3), Jackson, A (2), Duncan, S 3 (7). 2-out RBI: Miranda. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Berroa; Bernier. GIDP: Molina, J; Miranda. Team LOB: 5. BASERUNNING CS: Damon (2, 3rd base by Fultz/Hanigan).

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Chamberlain (W, 1-0)	3.0	3	1	1	0	3	0	6.75
Coke (H, 1)	2.0	3	0	0	0	3	0	1.80
Igawa (H, 1)	2.0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0.00
Garcia	1.0	0	0	0	1	2	0	9.00
Claggett	1.0	0	0	0	0	2	0	1.50

CC Sabathia makes his second start of the spring tomorrow for the Yanks as they take on the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Florida. Right-hander Justin Verlander starts for Detroit, and the game is set for 1:05 p.m.