Yankees defeat Orioles on a cold rainy night

The New York Yankees finally got back to playing baseball and it looked like the couple of days off helped their offense.  The Yankees scored seven runs on the night, six in the first two innings.  They got a couple of guys that were cold going.  Derek Jeter had a couple of hits and an RBI, Jorge Posada had a solo homerun and a single.  Mark Teixeira had a couple of hits, Alex Rodriguez continued his hot hitting with a three run homerun and another hit and walk.  Robinson Cano had a hit and two RBI. 

A.J. Burnett is now 3-0 winning his first three starts for the first time in his career.  Burnett pitched terriffic until the seventh inning when he gave up two two run homeruns.  I don't know if it was tiredness or what but I am going to guess he made a bad pitch gave up a homerun and then lost his focus and gave up another one and it was 7-4 and he was out of the game.  The bullpen preserved the win for him though with outstanding work.  Dave Robertson got the two batters out that he faced, one with a strikeout.  Rafael Soriano pitched a scoreless eighth inning giving up a hit and Mariano Rivera recorded his fifth save of the season. 

The Yankees got some bad news that was relayed by Joe Girardi after the game though.  Pedro Feliciano MRI showed significant damage to his left shoulder.  It looks like this is very serious, it sounds like he could need surgery but Joe Girardi wouldn't go into specifics after the game.  He said in fairness to the media he would give them that but in fairness to the player he wouldn't say more.  He said Feliciano has to talk to the team doctor, his agent and his family and then decide what is next for him. 

The Yankees will have Phil Hughes on the mound tomorrow night looking for his velocity and confidence.  Hughes needs to have a good start and get back on the right track.  He doesn't need to be perfect or be all the way back but he needs to show some positive progress if for anything else his own psyche which has to be shaken at this point at least somewhat.  The Yankees will try and sweep this abbreviated two game series and take over sole possession of first place on the very young season.