Chamberlain better in Yankees’ victory

NEW YORK -- Joba Chamberlain bounced back from a disappointing first start with the New York Yankees, pitching into the fifth inning Sunday to help beat the Kansas City Royals, 6-3.

“As a competitor, you want to be out there as long as you can go and as hard as you can go,” said Chamberlain, who opened the year in the bullpen and was limited to 78 pitches on a 95-degree afternoon. “But you also understand that it’s a transition. You have to be patient and learn from it and try to get better every time out.”

Dan Giese (1-1) relieved Chamberlain and pitched 2 2/3 hitless innings to earn his first major league win. Chamberlain gave up three runs -- two earned -- and five hits in 4 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking one

Jason Giambi hit a tiebreaking home run in the sixth inning and Bobby Abreu finished with an upper-deck home run and three runs batted in for the Yankees.