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Chamberlain Has Second Straight Strong Start

The Associated Press

Chamberlain delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning.

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The Associated Press

Published: March 16, 2009

TAMPA - Joba Chamberlain made his second straight strong start, allowing two hits over three scoreless innings Monday in the New York Yankees' 12-0 rout of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Chamberlain struggled in his first two starts, giving up seven runs, four hits and four walks over one-plus innings. He rebounded last Tuesday, allowing one run and three hits in three innings of a 7-1 win over Cincinnati.

"It's getting better," Chamberlain said. "I threw some great changeups for strikes. Good offspeed. I cut a couple fastballs off. Other than that, trying to eliminate the long counts. Overall, everything was great."

Chamberlain struck out three and walked one against the Phillies.

"He started the game off with a walk, but did bounce back and start throwing strikes, so I was happy with that," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

New York had 20 hits off five pitchers. Nick Swisher went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while rookie infielder Eduardo Nunez hit three singles in three at-bats.

Kei Igawa threw three scoreless innings and has not given up a run in 12 innings overall.

Philadelphia right-hander Kyle Kendrick, competing for the fifth starter's spot, allowed five runs — four earned — and eight hits in four innings. His ERA dropped from 14.29 to 12.10.

Before the game, the Phillies said ace Cole Hamels was scheduled to have his left elbow examined Tuesday by the team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti.

"He's had a little bit of a persistent soreness in his elbow. We do not believe it's serious," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "But at least at this time we thought it was important for Dr. Ciccotti to check him out and see if there's anything more serious than we think it is."

Hamels, last year's World Series MVP, pitched in an intrasquad game Sunday and didn't report any pain in four innings.

"It's just been that kind of mild discomfort, something I don't want to have to deal with during the season," Hamels said. "So if we can figure it out and somehow lessen the inflammation and the discomfort, I'll be able to throw and be productive."

New York said before the game that MRIs on second baseman Robinson Cano (right shoulder bursitis) and left-hander Damaso Marte (left shoulder inflammation) showed no major problems.

"Could have been a lot worse," Girardi said.

Cano had a pinch-single in the sixth Monday and could play the field on Friday. Marte is scheduled to throw a bullpen Tuesday, and could pitch in a game this weekend.

Girardi is leaning toward using Marte and Brian Bruney as the eighth-inning setup men for closer Mariano Rivera, slated to pitch Tuesday for the first time since right shoulder surgery last October.

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