Joba Chamberlain yielded two singles over eight innings to lead Tampa to a 4-1 victory over host Vero Beach on Sunday. Chamberlain (2-0), a 21-year-old right-hander, struck out a season-high nine and walked two in his longest outing of the season for the Yankees. He retired 12 of the last 13 batters he faced, including fanning the side in the sixth. On the season, Chamberlain has struck out 32 in 28 innings, and he lowered his ERA to 1.61 through five starts. On May 12, the New York Yankees' 2006 supplemental first-round pick tossed five no-hit innings against St. Lucie for his first win in his second start. While pitching in the Hawaiian Winter League in 2006, Chamberlain was tagged as a postseason All-Star and the league's top prospect. Tampa reliever Eric Wordekemper (1-0) allowed one run on two hits in the ninth, but earned the win with a 1-2-3 10th. Tim Battle cranked a go-ahead three run homer in the 10th for the Yankees (26-24), his second of the season, which gave Tampa a split of the four-game series. Devil Rays starter Michael Wlodarczyk allowed one run on six hits with eight strikeouts and three walks over six innings. Reliever Eddie De La Cruz (2-2) garnered the loss after he gave up three runs on three hits over 1 2/3 innings for Vero Beach (24-27). Patrick Cottrell's RBI single plated Garrett Groce to tie the game in the ninth for the Devil Rays. Groce finished 2-for-4 with a double and a run. Michael Blinn is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs. |
