Yankees' Chamberlain impresses in first road start

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Promising prospect Joba Chamberlain delivered a solid performance from the mound in his first major league road start on Friday, helping the New York Yankees to a 2-1 win over the Houston Astros.

Chamberlain is slowly being converted into a starter by the Yankees and the 22-year-old turned in his best effort to date, scattering six hits over six innings at Minute Maid Park.

"He's been throwing the ball great for us all year," New York manager Joe Girardi told reporters.

"He's using all his pitches. We're happy with the way he's throwing the ball."

Expectations for Chamberlain have been enormous since he made his major league debut as a reliever last season, but he lasted just 2 1/3 innings against Toronto in his first start on June 3 and 4 1/3 innings against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

However, Chamberlain turned in a tidy effort on Friday.

"I have to try and continue to get better and try and build off this and do better the next time," said Chamberlain, who struck out two and walked four.

The Yankees are counting on Chamberlain to help them recover from a sluggish start. The perennial contenders in the AL East moved two games over .500 for the first time since April 24 at 35-33, still six games back of the first place Boston Red Sox.

Derek Jeter's eighth inning home run powered the Yankees to the win after RBI singles from Alex Rodriguez in the first inning and Houston's Ty Wigginton in the fourth.

New York reliever Jose Veras (1-0) took the win, and Doug Brocail (2-1) was tagged with the loss.

(Writing by Roger Lajoie; Editing by Peter Rutherford)