Yankees-Indians: Chien-Ming Wang Outduels C.C. Sabathia

After two mediocre starts, Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang reclaimed his ace form Sunday, tossing a four-hit shutout over seven innings, striking out a season-high nine, and walking just two. 

The New York bats were able to get just one run (a Melky Cabrera solo shot) off of C.C. Sabathia, but it was enough as relievers Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera closed the door on the Indians for a 1-0 victory.

But the Yanks got some bad news Sunday as well, when the New York Times reported that catcher Jorge Posada, who was a late scratch from the lineup, may have to go on the DL with a shoulder tear. The Times reported that Posada is set to visit Dr. Andrews, but the team has not yet confirmed the story.

While losing Posada would be a major blow to their offense, it may not be such a bad thing if he continues to be unable to play behind the plate when he returns. 

Jose Molina has played well and if Posada is forced to play first base to get his bat in the lineup, we'd be seeing a whole lot less of the Human Rally Killer, Jason Giambi. 

Sunday's victory with Giambi on the bench improves the Yanks' record sans the Giamzero to 5-1. They are 8-12 when he plays.

Here are the grades for the Yankees for their 1-0 win over the Cleveland Indians.

Joe Girardi, Manager: (A)

With Wang already over 100 pitches, Girardi still allowed the ace to pitch the seventh, which of course turned out to be the right move as the starter retired the Indians in order and even struck out two batters in the frame. 

Letting a pitcher start an inning once he's already over the 100-pitch mark is something that never would've happened under Joe Torre, but with Bruney injured and the bullpen in shambles after Mo and Joba, letting Wang pitch the seventh was a must. He was looking so good, I would've even sent him out there to pitch the eighth, but it's hard to argue with bringing in Chamberlain.

Johnny Damon, LF: (C-)

1-for-4 with a strikeout.

Derek Jeter, SS: (C)

A double in four at bats and two runners left on.

Bobby Abreu, RF: (D+)

0-for-4 with a strikeout and three LOB, but he did his job in the sixth when he grounded to the right side to move Jeter from second to third with less than two outs.

Alex Rodriguez, 3B: (D+)

0-for-3 with a walk, a strikeout and one left on. The K came in the sixth when all he needed to do was hit a fly ball to score Jeter from third with one out. Luckily, the Yankees didn't need the insurance run.

Shelly Duncan, 1B: (D)

Duncan went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and three left on base, but he made a terrific stretch on a play at first base early in the game, showing once again that he's better defensively than Giambi.

Morgan Ensberg, DH: (F)

0-for-3 with two Ks, but the Yanks are now 6-3 when he starts.

Robinson Cano, 2B: (A-)

1-for-3 with a caught stealing but any day with a hit is a good day for Cano.

Melky Cabrera, CF: (A+)

Cabrera's solo home run in the fifth off of C.C. Sabathia was the only offense the Yanks would need.

Jose Molina, C: (D-)

0-for-3 with a strikeout. Defensively, he allowed a passed ball and gunned down one of two base stealers. With the injury to Posada and Chad Moeller being designated for assignment, Molina is going to be the Yankees' starting catcher for some time now.

Chien-Ming Wang, SP: (A+)

Improves his record to 5-0 and drops his ERA to 3.23. I said in this space earlier this year that with the question marks in the rotation, the Yankees would have to win nearly every game Wang starts this year and they've done exactly that, going 6-0 when he toes the rubber.

Joba Chamberlain, RP: (A)

Joba bounced back nicely after his first career loss on Thursday, striking out two in a 1-2-3 eighth.

Mariano Rivera, RP: (A)

Mo had the exact same line in the ninth.

Yankees Overall Grade: (A)

No Farnsworth, no Giambi and a win over the reigning AL Cy Young winner. That's a pretty good day for the New York Yankees.