From the Yankees Home Page: Excerpt on Joba: See last paragraph for Giraradi’s comment on innings pitch.

. . .Limiting the Detroit offense to only a solo home run — Clete Thomas’ fourth-inning shot — and three hits through 6 2/3 innings, Chamberlain overcame early command issues and showed huge improvements.

Winning for the first time since June 24 at Atlanta, Chamberlain had allowed seven or more hits in each of his past five starts, but Yankees manager Joe Girardi said there were no mechanical changes during the break.

“The only thing that was different was that he had extra days,” Girardi said. “He did his bullpens like he always does. As far as work, he had a chance to go home and probably evaluate his first half and step back and learn. Things slow down when you have three or four off-days.”

Especially when you are able to evade jams, which is something Chamberlain has struggled to do in recent starts. That has led to him running high pitch counts and taxing the bullpen, but Chamberlain was much better at bobbing and weaving on Sunday, a step as he continues to grow.

“I think people forget that he had [88 1/3] innings in the Minor Leagues, which is not a whole lot,” Girardi said. “He’s got 30-plus starts under his belt in the big leagues. It’s not a ton of pitching.”

After readng Rebecca’s excellent “Joba Theory” on her blog, the total innings pitched in college & minor leagues, which is miniscule compared to other pitchers, could have lead to the infamous Joba’s Rules. If he had such a low pitch count before entering the majors in ’07, it would make sense to limit his major leagues pitches and innings.

But how was he expected to catch up in innings pitched? Last year was a lost season. When Joba returned from DL, he should have been sent down to rehab instead of being put into the pen. He could have rehabbed and gained more innings pitched. Hindsight.

Experts speak of arm strength and stamina. Joba has not had the sufficient innings to build arm strength which could lead to his lack of stamina. Think about it. He has not been adequately stretched out.

Don’t know what got him going but I am happy that through all this adversity he was able to reach back and pitch like he used to. Now to build on this win for the rest of the season. Truthfully, I think it was the visit home to Nebraska to be with his dad.

Bad news friend, he’s going to the Red Sox. NYY couldn’t put together a package for him if they wanted to.

I’m unabashed. It’s going to happen eventually, there is nothing wrong with wondering whether tis is it or not.

Clearly not, but you get what I mean.