Yankees 22-year-old right-hander Joba Chamberlain struck out a career-high nine before leaving the game with two outs in the sixth. Chamberlain got a no-decision but New York won the game to complete a sweep of the Padres.

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NEW YORK — Joe Girardi signaled to the bullpen before he reached the mound. He was not going to let Joba Chamberlain talk him out of it.

The Yanks manager would have loved for the converted reliever to get his first win as a starter, but not at the expense of throwing too many pitches. Chamberlain would have to settle for another no-decision and a career-high nine strikeouts in New York's 2-1 win Thursday to sweep the San Diego Padres.

"Your heart wants to do it," Girardi said, "but your head tells you that you need to make a change."

Chamberlain gave up one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings in his fourth start, and prevented a run with his catcher's skills, blocking home plate to make a tag.

Then Chamberlain's teammates in the bullpen showed they're doing just fine without him, holding San Diego scoreless the rest of the way.

Another key hit from Alex Rodriguez drove in the go-ahead run, and the Yankees ran their way to scoring opportunities, setting up both of their runs with stolen bases.

San Diego, meanwhile, was running its way into outs. Adrian Gonzalez was thrown out at home plate twice in the first four innings.

New York extended its longest winning streak of the season to seven and improved to seven games above .500 for the first time this year. San Diego has dropped five of six.

Rodriguez, who homered in the previous four games, drove in Derek Jeter with a single in the sixth off Josh Banks (2-1). Jeter had singled, stolen second and moved to third on Bobby Abreu's groundout.

The Yankees got their first run without a hit to tie the score an inning earlier. 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.

"What the Yankees do as far as base stealing, they do a good job of identifying the pitcher. They take advantage of that slowness to the plate or the higher leg kick," Padres manager Bud Black said.

For the first time, Chamberlain was not on a strict pitch count, but Girardi said beforehand 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.

The fans voiced their disapproval, but Girardi wasn't going to risk a 10-pitch at-bat. He said he told Chamberlain, "I understand you don't want to come out. You can be upset about it. That's how I want you to be."

Chamberlain got a standing ovation as he left the field.

Jose Veras (2-0) came in and pitched 1 1/3 innings to earn the win. Kyle Farnsworth worked the eighth to set up Mariano Rivera, who struck out the side in the ninth for his 20th save in 20 chances.

Girardi would rather his pitchers not block the plate, as Chamberlain did in the second. But he appreciated the competitiveness.

With one out, Chamberlain's pitch in the dirt got away from Molina, and Gonzalez took off. The catcher quickly tracked the ball down and threw to Chamberlain.

"I was a catcher until I was a junior in high school," Chamberlain said. "So it brought back some memories. I guess it's like riding a bike."