Welcome to the Big Leagues, Koji

New York Yankees 5
Baltimore Orioles 7

WP: Koji Uehara (1-0)
LP: Chien-Ming Wang (0-1)
HR: Derek Jeter (1), Nick Markakis (1)

From the Mound

- Chien-Ming Wang just did not have it Wednesday night. After giving up three consecutive doubles in the first, it was apparent that his sinker was not working. Once again, a Yankee starter failed to finish 5 innings or record a strikeout. This was Wang's first big league start since injuring his foot back in June.
- Between Sabathia and Wang, Yankee starters have allowed 8 walks and no strikeouts. Not an encouraging statistic.
- On the bright side, New York's bullpen was effective. Edwar Ramirez, Jonathan Albaladejo, and Jose Veras combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings.
- For the O's, Koji Uehara, one-time teammate of Hideki Matsui with the Yomiuri Giants, went 5 innings and earned the victory in his Major League debut.

At the Plate

- Derek Jeter had a nice game at the plate, capped off by a ninth inning homerun that jump- started a late Yankees rally that came up just short. Through the season's first two games, the new leadoff man and Yankee Captain has gone 5-9 with a homerun, 2 RBI, and a stolen base.
- Robinson Cano went 2-4, delivering an RBI double in the sixth. He also stole a base and made a nice defensive play. It's certainly too early to make any definitive statements, but I think the Cano of '06 and '07 is back again for 2009.
- Mark Teixeira looked woeful at the plate once again, popping up three times to the infield and striking out in the 7th. He finally came through with his first hit of the season during the late ninth inning rally, providing an RBI double that scored Johnny Damon.
- After pinch-hitting for Cody Ransom and working a walk in the ninth, Nick Swisher is still batting 1.000.

A Look Ahead

The Yankees will look to A.J. Burnett to avoid a series sweep when he takes the hill at 1:35 Thursday afternoon at Camden Yards. The Orioles will send Alfredo Simon to the mound, looking to start the season 3-0.