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Burnett nets first win for Yankees

Source: Agencies | April 11, 2009, Saturday | Print Edition

THE New York Yankees used a solid showing by right-hander A.J. Burnett and five RBI by Nick Swisher to crush the Baltimore Orioles 11-2 on Thursday and avoid an embarrassing season-opening three-game sweep.

Burnett, who signed a five-year, US$82.5 million deal in December, scattered seven hits and struck out six over 5-1/3 innings while giving up two runs on his New York debut.

After aces C.C. Sabathia and Wang Chien-ming were shelled during Orioles victories in the first two games of the series, Burnett's performance was welcomed by the Yankees.

"We really needed it after those losses," Burnett told reporters. "I tried to come in here and set the tone and make sure we'd stop the bleeding and get us on the winning track."

Swisher, also an offseason acquisition making his first start for New York, had three of his team's 13-hits, including a double and a two-run homer. Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano also belted homers for the Yankees.

"When I'm told to go out there, I want to do my best," said Swisher. "Today, the sun was shining on me a little bit.

"It was nice, my first start as a Yankee, to have a day like that."

In other American League games, it was: Blue Jays 6, Tigers 2; Mariners 2, Twins 0; Rays 4, Red Sox 3; 2; Rangers 12, Indians 8; and Royals 2, White Sox 1.

In the National League, it was: Reds 8, Mets 6; Cardinals 2, Pirates 1; Padres 4, Dodgers 3; and Giants 7, Brewers 1.

In Baltimore, amid hopes of reaching the World Series for the first time since 2003, New York was outscored 10-17 while dropping the first two games to the Orioles, who lost 93 games in 2008 while finishing last in the AL East.

Burnett was a key part of the Yankees' expensive offseason retooling project, along with Sabathia and first baseman Teixeira.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he was happy with Burnett's performance following the shaky outings of Sabathia and Wang. "We feel really good about our rotation. We feel good about anyone taking the mound and that's something you need in this division. I love having the depth that we have."

Baltimore took a 1-0 lead in the third on an RBI single by Brian Roberts but New York scored three in the fourth and four in the sixth and the rout was on.
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