Yanks Lose; Joba Embarassed, Doesn't Know What 'Best Stuff" Means

We had no postgame last night because either Jim fell asleep or flew across country to kick Joba's a**. I'm glad I didn't stay up to see this one because Joba Chamberlain got shelled for the second consecutive start.

To sum up the game real quick. the Yankees scored 5 runs in the first 5 innings to give Joba the lead early, just like his last start. With a 5-1 lead, Joba only recorded one out in the fifth, giving up 4 runs, 3 earned. The big blow was a 3-run HR by Kendry Morales. He left after 4.1 innings, and the bullpen could not hold the lead. Hideki Matsui almost hit a grand-slam, but they aren't playing in Yankee Stadium so it was an out. Mark Melancon pitched more innings than he's capable of, Derek Jeter dropped a pop up and then Brian Bruney gave up a bomb to Erick Aybar. The Yankees lost 10-6.

The big issue here is the state of Joba Chamberlain. His last two starts: 8 innings, 18 hits, 13 runs, 7 earned runs, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts, 3 home runs. What worries me most is the combination of not going deep into games, and the unearned runs. The 6 unearned runs tells me he can't pick up his teammates and handle mistakes well. After A-Rod made an error, the next pitch he threw was a get-me-over curve right over the middle of the plate to Kendry Morales, who crushed it into centerfield.

"It's frustrating. I'm letting my teammates down. It's kind of embarassing, too," Joba said after the game. But Joba still believed he made good pitches, including the bomb Morales hit.

He said it was "a little up" but made a good pitch. He also said that his stuff and mechanics have been his best the last two starts. Did you see his numbers from his last two starts? It's absurd to suggest that he has had his "best stuff." Maybe for a batter or two, but not the whole game. When you give up 9 hits, 5 runs, and can't get out of the fifth inning with your "best stuff" you should not be in the major leagues.

With Wang injured and Joba consistently not going more than 5 innings, the Yankees are in the market for a starting pitcher (and no not Halladay you fools). Someone like a Jarrod Washburn or Jason Marquis would fit well.

If Joba cannot turn things around his next start, it's either back to the bullpen, or Scranton. The Yankees cannot afford to have him pitch like this the second half of the season.