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 The Yankees set up both their runs with stolen bases and cut down Adrian Gonzalez twice at home plate in the first four innings.
Mariano Rivera struck out the side in the ninth for his 20th save in 20 chances, completing New York's second consecutive three-game sweep against a National League team.
New York extended its longest winning streak of the season and improved to seven games above .500 for the first time this year. Yankees pitchers have yielded no more than one run in six of the past nine games.
Rodriguez, who homered in the previous four games, drove in the tiebreaking run with a sixth-inning single off Josh Banks (2-1). Derek Jeter had singled, stolen second and moved up on Bobby Abreu's grounder to first.
The Padres have dropped five of six.
The Yankees got their first run without a hit to tie the score in the fifth. Melky Cabrera walked with one out, then stole second and third. Jose Molina drove him in with a sacrifice fly.
New York stole four bases for the second straight game. Two of them led to runs in Wednesday's 8-5 win.
Chamberlain allowed one run in 5 2-3 innings but has yet to earn a decision in four career starts.
For the first time, he wasn't on a strict pitch count, but manager Joe Girardi said he didn't want the right-hander to throw many more than 100. He wasn't kidding.
After Chamberlain struck out Chase Headley with his 100th pitch, Girardi popped out of the dugout to remove him. Chamberlain's former mates in the bullpen didn't give up a run the rest of the way.
Jose Veras (2-0) relieved Chamberlain and pitched 1 1-3 innings to earn the win. Kyle Farnsworth worked a scoreless eighth to set up Rivera, who didn't get his 20th save last season until Aug. 18.
The Yankees have won nine games this year when scoring three runs or fewer. They did that six times all last season.
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Gonzalez took off from third with the bases loaded and one out in the second when Chamberlain's pitch in the dirt got away from Molina. The catcher quickly tracked the ball down and threw to Chamberlain, who applied the tag.
With one out in the fourth, Gonzalez tried to score on Scott Hairston's grounder to third and was thrown out by Rodriguez.
Tony Clark drove in Brian Giles with a ground-rule double in the fourth for the Padres' lone run.
Banks gave up two runs and four hits in 5 1-3 innings.
Notes: Yankees designated hitter Hideki Matsui did not start for the second straight game because of a swollen left knee. Girardi called the decision precautionary with a day game after a night game. He expected Matsui to return Friday and said he was available to pinch hit, as he was Wednesday. Matsui had the knee drained Wednesday and said he didn't think he would undergo any further tests. ... Giles probably saved a run with a diving catch of Johnny Damon's sinking liner in the seventh with Molina on second.
[Associated Press; By RACHEL COHEN]
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
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