Joba improves as the Yankees win

Joba Chamberlain showed improvement this afternoon, going 4 1/3 innings and allowing two earned runs.

Control was an issue in his first start, as he walked four and threw 30 of his 62 pitches for balls. This afternoon, on the other hand, he allowed one walk and threw 68% of his 78 pitches for strikes.

Pitch count was also a factor last time out, as he reached his limit in this third inning. Today he was much more efficient, as he had innings of 13, 18 and nine pitches. He had one long inning - 26 pitches - but he was able to bounce right back with that nine-pitch inning.

As he got deeper in the game, his velocity stayed in the mid-to-high 90s, which is an encouraging sign.

Meanwhile, the Yankees were able to win this game. Dan Giese and Jose Veras pitched well, as Giese threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings shadowing Chamberlain for the second time. Veras struck out two batters and allowed a hit in the eighth inning with the Yankees nursing a three-run lead.

Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi and Alex Rodriguez had big days at the plate, driving in all six runs with two home runs and a double.

The Yankees are now one game above .500 and will look to win the four-game series tomorrow afternoon.

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)