Yankees-Indians: Joba Chamberlain Blows First Regular-Season Lead of Career

It was bound to happen.

In his 31st career regular season appearance, Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain gave up the lead for the first time. After issuing two walks, the reliever served up a two-out, three-run homer to pinch hitter David Dellucci, that turned a 3-2 Yankee lead into a 5-3 deficit, which they would go on to lose by.

It's one of those losses that leaves you with no one to blame. The offense did its job, scratching out three runs against a good opposing pitcher in Fausto Carmona. New York's starter Andy Pettitte gave up just two runs in 6.1 solid innings of work.  Even Jason Giambi and Kyle Farnsworth made positive contributions.

When you hand the ball to one of your best pitchers in the eighth inning with a lead, you expect to win the game, and Tuesday night it just didn't happen. Simple as that. 

Now, the real question is how Joba will respond. After his first loss on Apr. 24, he bounced back nicely with three consecutive scoreless appearances, so I think he'll be just fine.

Here are the Yankees' grades from Tuesday's 5-3 loss to Cleveland.

Joe Girardi, Manager: (B+) I wouldn't have taken out a cruising Pettitte in favor of Kyle Farnsworth in the seventh inning with a one run lead, but Girardi did it, and it worked out, so kudos to the manager. It probably won't happen too often. Giving the ball to Chamberlain in the eighth was the logical next step. This loss wasn't Girardi's fault.

Johnny Damon, LF: (F) Johnny probably would've preferred not having an off-day Monday. His hot hitting came to a screeching halt Tuesday, with an 0-5 performance that included two strikeouts.

Derek Jeter, SS: (C) The Captain was 1-4 with a walk and a run scored. He also committed his fourth error of the year.

Bobby Abreu, RF: (D) 0-3 with two K's, but he reached twice via the walk. I can't fault him too much for getting caught stealing in the third, or being thrown out attempting to take an extra base in the fifth, because I like that type of aggression on the base paths.

He was caught stealing with two outs, and thrown out at third for the second out of the inning. Both are acceptable situations to take some chances.

Hideki Matsui, DH: (A+) Godzilla not only extended his hitting streak to 15 games, but he had a perfect night going 3-3 with a walk and a run scored. He's now batting a monstrous .342.

Jason Giambi, 1B: (A) I'll give Giambi credit when he goes the opposite way, because it doesn't happen too often. His double to left center tied the game in the fourth. He also had an RBI, a bases-loaded ground out in the first, that really should have been an inning-ending double play if the ump ahd gotten the call right.

Melky Cabrera, CF: (D-) Here's another Bomber who would've liked to play Monday. Melky went 0-4 with a strikeout and four left on. He did do his job in the fourth, however, grounding out to the right side, allowing Giambi to move to third with less than two outs.

Robinson Cano, 2B: (C+) An RBI single to left in the fourth gave the Yankees the lead. Unfortunately, it would be the last time they would score.

Wilson Betemit, 3B: (C) Returning from his bout with pink eye, Betemit went 1-4 Tuesday. I prefer Alberto Gonzalez at third, however, because he's better defensively and has been more impressive at the plate this season.

Jose Molina, C: (A) You will never see a better throw from a catcher than Molina's laser from his knees to nail Francisco trying to steal second in the third inning. You may see some as good, but you will not see one better.

Andy Pettitte, SP: (A) Did his job, the bullpen did not do theirs.

Kyle Farnsworth, RP: (A) Giambi goes the opposite way and Farnsworth pitches better than Chamberlain. Hath Hell frozen over?

Joba Chamberlain, RP: (F) As David Cone said during the YES broadcast, it seemed like Joba was throwing too many curves (his third best pitch) and not enough of his fastball and slider (his two best).

Jose Veras, RP: (A) A perfect ninth.

Yankees' Overall Grade: (B) This wouldn't have happened if Joba was scheduled to start Saturday instead of Igawa. Okay, that wasn't fair.