Fourteen pitches into tonight’s game against the pathetic Orioles, the Yankees lost arguably their most consistent starter across the first quarter of the season.
From the opening bell until the middle of May, Joba Chamberlain has been very efficient.
So when a crowded Yankee Stadium watched Chamberlain exit in the first inning after taking an Adam Jones liner off the right knee, the ballpark was bathed in silence.
During the sixth inning of what would develop into a 7-4 victory, it was announced that X-rays were negative and Chamberlain had a bruised knee.
Chamberlain remained in the game long enough to give up singles to Nick Markakis and Aubrey Huff. When he limped while running to back up third base, on Huff’s single Joe Girardi removed the righty.
It wasn’t immediately known what impact the problem will have on Chamberlain’s activity going forward, but it could have been worse.
The Yankees had to be concerned that feeling didn’t carry over after Chamberlain left. Their nightly assault on opposing pitchers continued as Robinson Cano and Hideki Matsui homered, and the first three hitters (Derek Jeter, Cano and Mark Teixeira) doubled in the opening inning.
The victory, witnessed by 43,342, was the Yankees’ season-high ninth in a row and upped their record to 24-17.
Chamberlain threw 14 pitches (eight strikes) in two-thirds of an inning and gave up two hits.
Alfredo Aceves (3-0) posted the victory and is 3-0. In 3 1/3 scoreless innings he allowed three hits, a walk and fanned one. Four runs off Jonathan Albaladejo from the fifth to seventh innings cut the Yankees’ lead to 7-4.
Mariano Rivera recorded the final three outs for his ninth save in 10 chances.
O’s starter Adam Eaton (2-5) gave up seven runs and eight hits in 4 2/3rd innings and is 2-5.
Brian Roberts and Markakis homered for the Orioles.