Offense explodes in victory

The Yankees finally got the money off their back, recording their first victory of the season and avoiding a sweep at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles.

After falling behind 1-0 in the third, the Yankees showed some power in the top of the fourth.  Mark Teixeira hit a first-pitch ball over the center field wall for his first home run as a Yankee.  After Robinson Cano drew a two-out walk, Nick Swisher, starting in his first game as a Yankee, homered just out of the reach of Nick Markakis to give the Yankees a 3-1 lead.

Starter A.J. Burnett surrendered a solo shot to Luke Scott in the bottom half of the frame, but that was all the Orioles would score.  The Yankees right-hander threw 98 pitches in 5 1/3 innings – many of them coming in the third inning.  With the bases loaded in the frame, Burnett got Aubrey Huff to strike out swinging to end the threat.  He pumped his fist and ran off the field.

Overall, he gave up two earned runs and seven hits while striking out six and walking one.

Swisher would help the Yankees extend their lead in the sixth with an RBI single.  He finished the day going 3-for-5 with five RBI after hitting a two-run double in the top of the ninth.  A big error by Orioles’ reliever Brian Bass led to two more runs, and Jose Molina had a bloop RBI single in four-run sixth inning.

Cano added a two-run shot in the seventh inning to give the Yankees a seven-run lead.  He went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a walk.  He is now 6-for-11 with one home run, two RBI and three walks on the young season.

Prior to Swisher’s ninth-inning double, Ramiro Pena record his first major league hit in his first at-bat.

Relievers Phil Coke, Jose Veras, Brian Bruney and Mariano Rivera each had scoreless and hitless outings.

The Yankees travel to Kansas City to begin a three-game series.  Andy Pettitte will face old friend Sidney Ponson tomorrow at 4:10 p.m.

AP Photo