The New York Yankees got a respite from the negative headlines and they trashed the Orioles, 11-2. I’m sure it’s a relief to Yankee fans that their team finally won, and the media might sell a few less papers without the brutal headlines, but they finally got things together on the mound and at the plate.
Finally, a pitcher for the came through as A.J. Burnett — another player who spurned Baltimore for the riches and the mystique of the Yankees — delivered for the Bombers as he went 5 1/3 innings, struck out seven and gave up two runs. Yankee reserve Nick Swisher went 3-for-5 with five RBI’s along with a two-run homer, and Mark Teixiera — the most hated man in Baltimore — had two hits including a 410 foot blast for his first home run of the season.
Meanwhile, Alfredo Simon took the loss as he gave up four runs in five innings of work. He started off fine; however, ran into a Yankee lineup ready to do damage as Simon gave up three runs — two via home runs by Teixeira and Swisher.
Simon’s effort was not helped out by the Baltimore bullpen which got hit hard. Pitcher Brian Bass, in relief of Simon, didn’t help out the situation as he loaded the bases in the top of the sixth inning and committed a deadly error as threw away a comebacker to home plate — which would have resulted in a double play — but it got past Chad Moeller and two runs came in. Thereafter, light-hitting Jose Molina plated another run wuth a single. In the seventh inning, Bass would give up a two-run home run toRobinson put the nail in the coffin for the Orioles and give New York a 9-2 lead.
New York added two more runs in the ninth as Nick Swisher hit a two-run double off Chris Ray.
Baltimore’s runs came off a Brian Roberts RBI in the third inning, and then a Luke Scott home run in the fourth.
Obviously, the Yankees are tough customers — they could not be held down for long with their offense — and the Orioles didn’t sweep them; however, only three games in the offense is looking good, Guthrie is now back, and we may have a solid arm in Uehara. Then again, it’s only been three games, but the season is young and we are 2-1.
Next, we have the tough Rays — who took two of three from the Red Sox, and by the way are reigning league champions this weekend in Baltimore.
