NewsJoba out to solve first-inning woes
Minnesota (18-18) at New York (18-17), 1:05 p.m. ET
By Jared Diamond / MLB.com
05/16/09 3:16 AM ET
NEW YORK -- Take away the first inning of Joba Chamberlain's last two starts, and the young right-hander hasn't allowed an earned run since April 29. Outside of a pair of opening frames, he has pitched scoreless ball, with 16 strikeouts over his last 9 2/3 innings, and he has continued to demonstrate the potential to be a dominating starter. But unfortunately for him and his teammates, the first inning counts just as much as the other eight, and the Yankees are still not sure how to guide Chamberlain through it unscathed. In six starts this season, Chamberlain has allowed nine first-inning runs and three homers, with opponents hitting .481 (13-for-27). Chamberlain will throw to three simulated batters in the bullpen before his outing on Saturday against the Twins in an attempt to solve the mysterious first-inning woes that have plagued him of late. Manager Joe Girardi said that Chamberlain will likely also take less time between warmups and the first pitch. "I think that's what we're probably going to do," Chamberlain said. "Just to get a feel, just try to get the first inning, try to get in the tempo of the game and just try to get that first one out of the way." The Yankees have been tinkering with Chamberlain's pregame routine since he allowed four runs in the first inning in his start against the Red Sox on May 5. He surrendered hits to the first five batters, including a three-run homer to Boston left fielder Jason Bay, before settling down. He didn't give up a run through the next 4 2/3 innings and struck out 12, but New York never recovered en route to a 7-3 loss. Chamberlain threw an extended bullpen session before his next start, against the Orioles on Sunday, hoping to work through the kinks before taking the mound. It didn't work. Chamberlain again surrendered five first-inning hits and another three-run homer, this time to Aubrey Huff. He then worked five shutout frames, and the Yankees came back for a 5-3 victory. Girardi said afterward that he didn't think Chamberlain's early trouble was simply a coincidence. In both outings, Chamberlain's fastball barely hit 90 mph in the opening frame but was clocked around 95 the rest of the way. The discrepancy has led to speculation that Chamberlain has been pacing himself in an attempt to go deeper into games as he transitions from the bullpen to the rotation. "I think it's learning how to be a starter," Girardi said. "It's more physical than anything else. ... It's a process that's taking place at the big league level. A lot of guys had the chance to learn it at the Minor League level, but Joba moved very quickly." Chamberlain downplayed this notion, citing his success in 15 starts at three Minor League levels before joining the Yankees, but he acknowledged that his first-inning problems are becoming a pattern that needs to be corrected. He said that he will throw his typical warmup pitches before taking a short break during his bullpen session before Saturday afternoon's contest. He will then throw to three simulated batters meant to mimic the top of Minnesota's lineup and try to begin the game before he has time to cool down. "It's another plan that we're going to give a shot," Girardi said. "Let's hope it works." If it does, the Yankees may have found the secret that could potentially begin Chamberlain's ascension to the level of elite pitcher in the American League. Despite his first-inning issues, he has compiled a 2-1 record with a 3.89 ERA thus far in his first full season as a starter. "It can be fixed," Chamberlain said. "Anything can be fixed. You just have to have the mentality, first of all. That's where it starts. It starts with yourself and making the adjustment. It's a battle. It's a never-ending battle." Pitching matchupNYY: RHP Joba Chamberlain (2-1, 3.89 ERA)
Chamberlain's first-inning issues with velocity continued in his last start, on Sunday at Baltimore, where his fastball mostly sat near 90 mph before gaining speed later. This will be his first career appearance against Minnesota. MIN: RHP Nick Blackburn (2-2, 4.32 ERA)
Blackburn was superb in his last start, tying a career high with six strikeouts in seven shutout innings against the Mariners, scattering five hits with one walk. He lowered his ERA by nearly a run. Unfortunately, the Twins' bullpen blew the lead when he exited after having thrown 99 pitches, and Minnesota lost, 5-3. Blackburn will make his first start at the Yankees' new stadium on Saturday. Maybe it will change his luck against the Bronx Bombers -- he is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three career starts against New York. Tidbits
Outfielder Xavier Nady met with doctors before Friday's game about his injured right elbow. Girardi said that if all went well, Nady would begin taking light batting practice with both hands, including flip drills and hitting off a tee. Until now, he had only been doing one-handed drills. ... The Yankees had their third walk-off win of the season Friday night. The win snapped their five-game losing streak at home. ... The Yankees drew 10 walks on Friday, marking their most walks in a nine-inning game since Aug. 19, 2006, when they had 13 against the Red Sox. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• YES On radio
• WCBS 880, 92.7 WQBU (Español) Up next
• Sunday: Yankees (A.J. Burnett, 2-1, 5.36) vs. Twins (Kevin Slowey, 5-1, 4.91), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Yankees (Andy Pettitte, 3-1, 4.00) vs. Twins (Glen Perkins, 1-2, 4.27), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Yankees (CC Sabathia, 3-3, 3.70) vs. Orioles (Brad Bergesen, 1-1, 5.27), 7:05 p.m. ET
Jared Diamond is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
