ST. PETERSBURG -- Scott Proctor said it best after Sunday's game, when he remarked that it's not how you start, but how you finish.

Proctor was speaking in terms of the second half of the Yankees' season, but the same words of wisdom held true for New York's efforts in a 6-5 series-ending loss to Tampa Bay. The Yankees had a 5-0 lead in the third inning, but saw it dissipate as quickly as it had come, thanks to a few dangerously-placed pitches.

"It was nice to jump out like that," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "We just couldn't pitch well enough to hold it."

True to Proctor's adage, what should have been an easy win after the top of the third was anything but.

Kelly Stinnett and Melky Cabrera walked in consecutive at-bats and Derek Jeter was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Jason Giambi, who drove his 11th career grand slam over the right-center-field wall on a full count to put New York up 4-0. The Yankees added an insurance run a moment later when Bernie Williams scored on a fielding error.

They'd prove to need every last run as Aubrey Huff tagged starter Kris Wilson for a three-run homer in the bottom of the third, while Jorge Cantu knocked a two-run shot off reliever Ron Villone in the fifth to tie it up.

Wilson was the first glitch in the Yankees' pitching machine. The 29-year-old forced New York's bullpen to stir early after lasting just 2 2/3 innings. The two-out, three-run homer by Huff accounted for the only runs he allowed, but Wilson didn't respond well afterward, walking the next batter and then giving up a double before Torre came out to the mound.

"It was unfortunate that I didn't get into the fifth or sixth inning with the five-run lead I was spotted," Wilson said. "It's pretty much unacceptable to get a five-run lead and then walk guys, but I just have to work on my game plan."

It was Wilson's first start in pinstripes, and though it wasn't stellar, Torre didn't rule out the righty as a possible temporary fifth starter, saying he'd wait until after the All-Star break to make those decisions.

After Wilson hit the showers, New York tapped its bullpen for four pitchers. Proctor entered in the seventh inning with the game tied and promptly gave up a double to Rocco Baldelli. Baldelli came around to score on a Cantu single two batters later before Proctor struck out the side. Torre said he was altogether pleased with Proctor's outing, but the right-hander had his own opinions.

"The pitch to Baldelli I can live with," said Proctor, who took the loss after allowing the one run in one inning. "It was a good pitch, he just hit it down the line. The [fastball] to Cantu was a mistake. You're going to have outings like that. Unfortunately, it just happened at the wrong time. Those guys didn't get to this point by not getting hits."

Baldelli was a thorn in the Yankees' side all day long, as the Rays center fielder robbed New York of an extra-base hit in the ninth, and made a highlight-reel throw home in the seventh to cut off what would've been the go-ahead run for the Yankees.

"He made plays today I wanted to applaud myself," Torre said. "He's spectacular."

The Yankees got a bit of a scare in the third inning when Jeter took several moments to shake off the effects of a Casey Fossum pitch that had struck the shortstop on the inside of his right foot.

Jeter eventually took first, but was hobbling noticeably around the basepaths during Giambi's grand slam. He did not leave the game, and afterward said he was fine.

The loss took away a three-game series sweep at Tropicana Field and sent New York into the break on a bit of a sour note after snapping a four-game win streak. Several Yankees, including Torre, said they'd welcome the well-deserved mini-vacation, and use it to recharge for what looks to be a tight pennant race in the second half.

"Everybody can use a four-day break, especially us," Jeter said. "We look forward to having a few days off to regroup mentally for the second half, but overall, we did pretty well in the first half."

Torre agreed.

"It was a good first half," he said. "I wish we could've held on to the lead [Sunday], but again, I have no problems, the way we started this road trip, how we finished it.

"I think this ballclub needs this time off ... just hopefully we can make things happen when the second half starts, and get ready to play ball."