It was a hot steamy Houston night. With sweat pouring down his face from the moment he began warming up, to the moment he powered a 97 MPH fastball passed Brad Ausmus for his final pitch of the night, Joba Chamberlain gave Yankees fans a reason to look forward to the rest of 2008.
On a night where Joba didn't seem to have his best stuff, he was able to go out there and put together an impressive start. In 6 innings of work, he allowed just 1 run on 6 hits, walking 4 (2 intentional) while striking out only 2.
We have heard Roger Clemens say it time and time again over the years. Gutting out a game like this, when you don't have your best stuff, and are constantly in jams, can feel more rewarding that going out with dominant stuff and throwing 7 innings of 3 hit ball. As we watch Joba Chamberlain develop before our eyes, you got to love the fact that he was able to gut out tonight's game and keep the Yankees in position to win. I may be in the minority here, but tonight was the most impressed I have been with Joba since he was called up in August of 2007.
Sure striking out the side with 99 MPH fastballs and ridiculous sliders in the 8th inning was fun to watch. But watching him tough out 6 innings of 1 run ball against a good offensive (albeit National League) team got me so excited for his next start, and beyond. When we won't have to worry about silly pitch counts and limitations.
I remember Jim Kaat always saying that you learn more about pitchers watching them struggle and working out of jams than you do watching them dominate. I learned a lot about Joba Chamberlain tonight.
(AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
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