Bronx Brass Tacks

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
NY Yankees	0	0	0	3	0	4	2	0	2		11	13	0
Baltimore	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0		2	7	1

WP – Burnett (1-0)     LP – Simon (0-1)

The Yankees saved a little face today against the Orioles, sparked by Nick Swisher’s enthusiastic slugging and a strong debut from #3 starter A.J. Burnett.  The Orioles take the series 2-1.

Baltimore starter Alfredo Simon (in only his second Major League start) was impressive through the first three innings, retiring the first six batters in order.  The Yanks threatened in the third with a one-out slap single from Brett Gardner and a seven-pitch walk issued to Jose Molina, but Simon retired Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon on ground balls to end the inning, stranding the runners on second and third.

A.J. Burnett had struck out three of the first six batters before the Orioles attacked in the bottom of the third.  Felix Pie led off with a single and stole second base two pitches later.  Chad Moeller singled off the glove of Robinson Cano, leaving runners at the corners with no outs.  Burnett then struck Cesar Izturis out looking on three pitches.  Brian Roberts responded by lacing a single to center, scoring Pie.  After an Adam Jones flyout, Burnett loaded the bases with a walk to Nick Markakis, bringing up Aubrey Huff with the bases loaded and two outs.  A.J. snuffed Huff swinging at a big 3-2 curve, pumping his fist on the way back to the dugout.

The Yankees entered the top of the fourth with a new charge.  Mark Teixeira, who had stranded eight runners in the previous two losses to the O’s, jumped on the first offering from Simon and launched a solo shot to deep center field to tie the game at 1-1.  After a walk was issued to Cano, Nick Swisher (who earned the start after doubling and walking as a pinch-hitter the previous two nights) homered to right field on a 3-2 pitch.  That two-run lead would not be given up.

A.J. Burnett would give up a solo home run by Luke Scott in the fourth inning before exiting the game in the sixth with two runs on seven hits and six strikeouts.  The bullpen shut down the Orioles from then on, with Phil Coke, Jose Veras, Brian Bruney, and Mariano Rivera (who hasn’t got any work in lately) combining for 3 2/3 innings of no-hit ball.

Game Notes

Swisher added an RBI single in the sixth and a two-run double in the ninth, finishing the day with five RBIs.  Robbie Cano had a two-run blast and scored four runs.  Brett Gardner had two hits and a stolen base.

Rookie Ramiro Pena, replacing Johnny Damon in a switch and leading off the ninth inning, got his first hit as a big leaguer, eliciting warm applause from his teammates gathering at the top step of the dugout.

The Yanks fly out to Kansas City to face the Royals for a three-game set.

Mets Ollie’d Out

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
NY Mets	0	0	3	0	1	1	1	0	0		6	10	0
Cincinnati	0	0	4	0	4	0	0	0	X		8	9	1

Oliver Perez gave up all eight runs to Cincinnati (1-2) as the Mets (2-1) drop the last game of the series.  Reds pitchers, led by high-stepping Bronson Arroyo, managed to contain the hard hitting lineup to six runs on ten hits.  Ryan Church’s two doubles were the only extra base hits for the Mets.

Today, it’s John Maine versus Anibel Sanchez down in Florida.