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Yankees turn to Joba against Indians

Apr 16, 2009 - 11:37 PM By Anthony Giornalista Stats Senior Writer

Cleveland (3-7) at NY Yankees (5-5), 1:05 p.m. EDT

BRONX, New York (AP) -- Joba Chamberlain will certainly earn more wins at the new Yankee Stadium than he did at the old ballpark. He might be especially productive if he can avoid handing the game to the New York's middle relievers.

After self-destructing late in the first game at their new home, the Yankees send their 23-year-old phenom to the mound as they continue a four-game set with the Cleveland Indians on Friday.

New York (5-5) lost the opener at its new $1.5 billion home, 10-2 to Cleveland on Thursday despite getting a strong start from CC Sabathia. The Yankees' bullpen allowed nine runs after Sabathia gave up one through 5 2-3 innings.

It was an unfitting start at the new building following an 85-year stint in a stadium that was home to a franchise that produced 26 World Series titles.

Mariano Rivera continues to be outstanding as New York's closer, but the club needs to shore up its middle relief. Rivera aside, Yankees relievers have a 6.30 ERA, giving up at least three runs four times.

"Better to happen now than later in the season," said Jose Veras, who allowed three runs without recording an out Thursday. "I know I can be better than that."

Veras surrendered one run and did not retire a batter as New York's bullpen blew a save in Chamberlain's last start. Chamberlain gave up three runs - one earned -- and four hits while striking out five in six innings, but Veras and Phil Coke combined to allow three runs in the eighth en route to a 6-4 loss to Kansas City on Sunday.

This will be the first start against the Indians for Chamberlain (0-0, 1.50 ERA), who went 3-1 with a 2.18 ERA in seven starts and 23 relief appearances at the old Yankee Stadium. His only win as a starter there came in his last outing in that role, beating Baltimore on July 30.

Chamberlain's first five appearances versus Cleveland (3-7) were all in relief, and he was 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA.

Though New York could certainly use the help, Chamberlain isn't going back to the bullpen any time soon. The Yankees' relievers, though, weren't solely to blame for Thursday's flop.

New York's two runs were a season low, as it stranded 15 runners and went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

One of the few bright spots at the plate for New York was veteran catcher Jorge Posada, who hit the first home run in the ballpark's history.

The Yankees lack a dangerous right-handed bat with Alex Rodriguez out following hip surgery and Xavier Nady (elbow) going on the 15-day disabled list Thursday.

Nady hit a combined .305 with 25 homers and 97 RBIs with Pittsburgh and New York last season. Nick Swisher, a switch-hitter who has been the Yankees' most productive batter, started in right field for Nady.

He'll likely be in the cleanup spot again as New York faces Anthony Reyes (1-0, 6.00), who earned a win in his first start, allowing four runs and three hits while walking three in six innings in Cleveland's 8-4 victory over Toronto on Sunday.

This will be the right-hander's first appearance against the Yankees.

The Indians set a season high for runs in a game in Reyes' last outing, topping that mark Thursday. Cleveland had four players with at least two hits as it won its second straight after losing seven of its first eight.

The Indians have had at least 10 hits in five straight games.

Grady Sizemore's lone hit was a grand slam that capped off a nine-run seventh inning. He entered the game batting .198 (20-for-101) with just one home run in 26 games versus New York.