Did Joba mean to Throw at Youkalis?

WasWatching has an excellent analysis of yesterdays Yankees/Red Sox 9th inning, when rookie pitcher Joba Chamberlain was ejected for throwing two 98/99 mph fastballs over the head of Red Sox Kevin Youkalis.

Consider the facts:

Joba Chamberlain threw 12 pitches in the 8th inning today. Two of the twelve were shown by YES via the camera behind home plate - the 3rd pitch to Hinske and the 2nd pitch to Pedroia. So, we don't know much about these two pitches - in terms of whether or not they were on target. But, we do know about the other ten pitches in the 8th inning from Joba.

Chamberlain threw four pitches to Hinske - all seemed on target with Posada's glove, with the exception of the aforementioned 3rd pitch (which we just don't know about). If anything, the 2nd pitch to Hinske missed low, if at all.

Chamberlain threw one pitch to Cora that appeared on target.

Chamberlain threw three pitches to Pedroia - all seemed on target with Posada's glove, with the exception of the aforementioned 2nd pitch (where we could not see it). If anything, the 1st pitch to Pedroia ran in on him, but not terribly in.

Chamberlain threw four pitches to Crisp - all seemed on target with Posada's glove. Maybe the 1st pitch, if anything, missed low of Posada's target. But, the 2nd and 3rd pitches to Crisp hit Posada's mitt exactly where he placed it.

In a nutshell, Joba showed very good control with his pitches in the 8th inning.

In the bottom of the 8th inning, with one out, after the Yankees took a 5-0 lead, Edwar Ramirez started to warm in the Yankees bullpen. By the end of the 8th inning, Ramirez was done warming and was standing there, ready, and tying his shoes.

However, Chamberlain comes back out to pitch the 9th inning. Joba throws one pitch to Big Papi Ortiz, that appears on target and retires him. Next, he's facing Youkilis.

The first pitch had a bit of a low-and-away break to it. Probably a slider. The second pitch is on target with Posada's glove - if anything, it breaks a bit inside.

The next two pitches from Chamberlain to Youkilis are up around the batter's head.

For what it's worth, in the last three games, Boston pitchers came inside to Yankees batters on several occasions. So, if someone from Red Sox Nation does want to bellyache about anything suspected with Joba's or the Yankees intent here, they should take into account the dangers of throwing stones in glass houses, before they go nuts.

I have to admit I am glad to see pitchers like Roger Clemens and now Joba Chamberlain willing to throw inside (and maybe at) opposing players, since for years Yankee players would get plunked and there would be no retailiation. I would never advocate throwing with the intention of hurting a player, but to hit someone in the back, like Clemens did to Alex Rios in Toronto or for Joba to throw over the head of a Red Sox, whose pitchers have for years been drilling Jeter, is a welcome relieft.

Throwing inside is and has always been part of the game. MLB and the hitters have done what they can to take that area of the plate away from the pitchers. It is good to see some are still willing to back off hitters or stick up for their teammates. On the whole, this is good for baseball.