Yankees Pitcher Gives Up Home Run To Twins

Joba Chamberlain pitched a home run hit to Twins batter Garrett Jones in spring training yesterday and Ian Kennedy gave it up to Delmon Young. Garrett Jones hit the ball into the right field bleachers for a 2-run home run at yesterday's Twins-Yankees game. His home run was surprising considering the fact that Joba Chamberlain was pitching. Then again, this is spring training and Chamberlain wasn't throwing his usual 100 mile per hour pitches. Chamberlain allowed the 2 runs in 2 innings in the Yankees' 7-5 loss which is their first defeat in 5 spring games. Chamberlain didn't seem too concerned given the fact that it's just spring training. On Tuesday, the Yankees renewed Chamberlain's contract for the major-league minimum which is $390,000. That might seem like a lot of money to some people but it's peanuts to most professional athletes. It actually might seem like a lot to Chamberlain, too since he claims that he doesn't play the game for money. He claims he plays because he loves the game and that the money is just a bonus. Chamberlain wasn't the only one to give it up at the spring outing yesterday. Ian Kennedy allowed a long home run to center field by Delmon Young. Kennedy didn't seem to be too disappointed with his outing even though Young hit his fastball that started outside and tailed back over the middle. Analyzing the outings, Yankees Manager, Joe Girardi said that neither of his right handers were that sharp during the game. A realistic Girardi knows that no one is perfect and chalked it up to a learning experience. The Yankees, their fans and even Hank Steinbrenner are going to have to be patient at times. Otherwise, every screw up by Chamberlain, Kennedy and Phil Hughes could have Steinbrenner complaining to General Manager Brian Cashman about the decision to trade Johan Santana.n