Newcomers Get It Started

It took two games, but the Yankees put it all together with a lot of help from the team's newest members. But it was the least heralded acquisition that did most of the damage.

Nick Swisher, getting his first start, went 3-for-5 with a homer and five RBI as the Yankees put an 11-2 hurting on the Orioles in Baltimore Thursday.

A.J. Burnett allowed two runs over 5-1/3 innings and Mark Teixeira homered, but the story was Swisher.



Swisher was not happy when Joe Girardi picked Xavier Nady to be the starting right fielder. But Swisher did not pout. Instead, he's grinded out at-bats, contributing at every opportunity. Monday he had a pinch double and Wednesday a pinch walk head of Derek Jeter's ninth-inning homer.

Meanwhile, Xavier Nady has been less than impressive, hitting .231 with one RBI through the three games. Swisher could start on a lot of teams and if Nady doesn't pick it up, he could find himself on the bench, switching roles with Swisher.

The Good
Burnett did what CC Sabathia and Chien-Ming Wang could not do, namely strike out a batter, get through the fifth and earn a win. Burnett allowed seven hits, one walk and two runs, while striking out six. He ran into trouble in the third and fourth, allowing a run in each inning, but made the big pitches to get out of trouble, including a strike out of Aubry Huff to end the third. It was a solid start and one the Yankees desperately needed.

After pitching 4-1/3 scoreless innings Wednesday, the bullpen put on a repeat performance with Phil Coke, Jose Veras, Brian Bruney and Mariano Rivera pitching flawlessly for 3-2/3. Most encouraging was Bruney, who struck out two. When he throws strikes, he's very tough. The Yankees will need outings like that in close games.

Teixeira seems to be settling down and sparked both rallies. His leadoff homer in the fourth tied the score at one. After Nady struck out, Robinson Cano walked, setting up Swisher's homer. In the sixth, Teixeira's single started a four-run rally that was built on four singles, a walk and a throwing error. Teixeira finished 2-for-5 and Cano 3-for-4 with a homer, four runs and two RBI. ... Ramiro Pena singled in the ninth for his first major league hit.

The Bad
Not much on this day. Derek Jeter went o-for-4, including a groundball double play with runners on first and third to end the sixth. Johnny Damon and Cody Ransom also went 0-for-4 and Nady 1-for-5.

What We Learned
Burnett kept his team in the game. He made big pitches and got out of a couple jams. Anytime the Yankees get that out of their starters, they will have a great chance to win. We're also starting to see Girardi establish roles in the bullpen. He proved himself adept at spreading out the workload last year. Now he just needs to solidify that bridge to Mo.

Hey Dave...
Three games in, both of our teams are 1-2 and staring up at the Jays, Rays and Orioles. I didn't see that coming, did you?

Runners On Third With Less Than Two Outs
Thursday
Three Opportunities
1-for-3, RBI, 3 Runs (two on a throwing error)
Season
Six opportunities
1-for-6, 2 RBI, SF, 4 Runs

Up Next
Today at Royals, 4:10 p.m., YES
Andy Pettitte vs. Sidney Ponson