BALTIMORE – More than just looking for a Yankees starter to restore some order to a newly built rotation, the team was not looking for a savior.
Heck, the way things had gone the previous two games, they would have signed up for a starter at least going five innings and thanking their lucky stars.
AJ Burnett was able to give at least that to them an also one more out in his pinstripe debut in the Yankees (1-2) bullying 11-2 win over the Orioles on Thursday. The $82.5 million right-hander, while unable to go deep into the ballgame, provided the team with some stability on a beautiful afternoon at Camden Yards where he was aided by a lethal offensive output.
The first win of the season saved the Yankees from the utter embarrassment of being swept by the Birds and the continued wrath of the media that appeared to be smelling blood. Now that they got it out of the way, they can travel to Kansas City with a clear mind.
Burnett went 5-1/3 innings, yielding only two runs on six hits, while striking out six and walking one in his 98 pitch outing. Throughout his start, he showed some of the dazzling stuff that mesmerized the Yankees hitters over the years and subsequently made a full court press to acquire him as a free agent.
After setting down the first six Orioles in order, Baltimore began the scoring in the bottom of the third inning when Brian Roberts singled to center, and moved Felix Pie up to second. With the bases loaded and two out, Burnett struck out Aubrey Huff on a wicked curveball in the dirt to end the threat as he pumped his fist leaving the mound.
Burnett was aided though by three Yankee homeruns by Mark Teixeira (who went 2 for 5), Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano (3 for 4). Bronx Bombing was back.
In the fourth inning, the Yankees finally got on the board. Teixeira started the scoring with a solo homerun to dead center. After a walk to Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher (3 for 5) delivered a two-run homer to right to make it 3-1.
Since starting 0 for his first 8, Teixeira has gone 3 for his last 6 with a homerun and two runs batted in as the offense finally came to life Thursday.
Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis appeared to have a play on the ball as he drifted back to the wall, unfortunately he could not come down with it.
Burnett gave a run back in the bottom half when Luke Scott connected with a homerun to center to make it 3-2. In the sixth, Swisher continued his hot early season hitting by driving in Teixeira with an RBI single to left build back up the two-run advantage.
After a walk to Cody Ransom to load the bases, Brett Gardner’s speed led to two more runs. His bouncing chop back to the mound was fielded by pitcher Brian Bass, whose throw home to catcher Brian Moeller went off his glove and went to the backstop, allowing Cano and Swisher to score to make it 6-2. Jose Molina would then follow with a blooper single to shallow right just beyond the infield to bring home Ransom with the seventh New York run.
Padding the score late in the game, Swisher (cracking the lineup as Matsui rested) would drive home two more runs with a double down the right field line in the ninth inning to up the margin to its 11-2 final.
Without the services of Jorge Posada (day game after night) and Hideki Matsui (day off), the offense carried the day. The three through six hitters (Teixeira, Nady, Cano and Swisher) combined to go 9 for 19 with 8 RBI’s.
The Yanks will get on a plane and travel to Kansas City for a weekend series against the Royals who will have their home opener. Andy Pettitte takes the ball against former Yankee Sidney Ponson.
Game time is scheduled for 4:10.
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