Joba Chamberlain was slated to throw 55 pitches last night in preparation of moving into the starting rotation next Tuesday. Complicating matters was the excellent start by last night's starter Andy Pettitte, who pitched into the 7th.
Joba came in and threw an inning and a third and just 27 pitches. Instead of sending Joba out for the 9th inning with a 4-2 lead, Yankees manager Joe Girardi stuck to the formulaic response and sent his closer out in the 9th. Chamberlain was sent back to the bullpen to throw another 28 pitches and thus remains on target to start on Tuesday.
Why Chamberlain couldn't throw the 9th defies any explanation but the baseball equivalent of a Pavlovian response. Ding! Ding! Our closer must always pitch the 9th in a save situation.
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