Article:Joba, Yanks Streaking...

The New York Yankees have jumped up from last place to third place in the AL East. The Yankees have now won seven straight games, which includes two straight sweeps, both in interleague play. On Sunday, the Yanks completed the sweep of the Houston Astros, who also just got swept by the Baltimore O's last night, and outscored the 'Stros 23-5 in the series. On Tuesday the Yanks recorded their second straight shutout against the Pads, 8-0, and Andy Pettitte improved to 7-5 on the season. The Yanks, obviously, went on to sweep the Pads in three games, outscoring them 18-6. In the last ten games, New York has been 8-2, and is 9-2 in the month of June. Joe Girardi has done a nice job in turning these guys around, especially after sitting in last place behind the O's, and Jays for a while. New York is now just five games behind the Division leading, and arch-rival Boston Red Sox, and three and a half behind the second-place Rays.

Joba Chamberlain had a pretty nice start against San Diego last night. The reliever-turned-starter pitched 5.2 innings, surrendering just four hits, and allowing only one earned run. He even struck out nine batters. That is, by far, the best start Joba has had yet. But, he didn't earn his first win as a starter, because Girardi wouldn't allow him to pitch too many pitches. So, in 3.1 innings pitched, the Yanks bullpen finishes the game for him, allowing 0 runs. Kyle Farnsworth recorded his eighth hold, and in the ninth, the save master Mariano Rivera completed the sweep, recording his 20th save in the process. Alex Rodriguez, and Jose Molina were the saviors for New York, hitting in the only two runs of the night in the fifth, and sixth innings.



New York has gone through alot recently, with ace Chien Ming-Wang on the DL until September with a foot injury, the Yanks are going to have to get production from guys like Mike Mussina, and young guns like Darrell Rasner, who is 4-4, and has a 3.64 ERA in eight starts. Mussina will make the start for the Yanks tonight, at home, against the Cincinnati Reds. Ken Griffey Jr., and the Reds are on a seven-game losing streak, and just got swept by the LA Dodgers. Rookie phenom, Edinson Volquez, who is 9-2 with a 1.64 ERA, will be on the hill for the Reds. This year the Reds are a horrendous 12-24 on the road, while the Yanks are six games over .500 at home (21-15).

Look out AL (...and NL), the Yanks just may be the hottest team in the Majors.