Yankees keep on rolling despite Joba’s injury

The Yankees won their ninth in a row tonight, despite watching their starting pitching leave in the first inning with an injury.

Joba Chamberlain was struck on the knee by a comebacker and left with two outs in the first inning.  The bullpen then had to pitch 8 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (all charged to Jonathan Albaladejo), 10 hits and only one walk.

Last night, the Yankees hit three straight home runs in the second inning.  Tonight, they hit three straight doubles to lead off the game (Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira).  They would hit a fourth later in the inning to give the team an early 4-0 lead.

Cano drove in two more runs in the second inning with his second home run in as many days.  He also went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI for the second straight night.  Hideki Matsui added a solo home run in the fifth to complete the Yankees scoring.

Alfredo Aceves came out of the bullpen immediately after Chamberlain’s injury and pitched 3 1/3 innings to record his third victory of the season.  Albaladejo struggled over his 2 1/3 innings, allowing five hits (including two home runs).  Jose Veras and Mariano Rivera pitched scoreless outings to close out the game.  Rivera earned his ninth save of the season.

The Yankees are now 24-17 and have won four series in a row.  They begin an interleague matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow night at Yankee Stadium.  This is the final series of this 10-game homestand.  Brett Myers will face A.J. Burnett.

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)