BALTIMORE // Japanese pitcher Koji Uehara made a strong impression in his Major League debut as the Baltimore Orioles won their second successive game against the New York Yankees 7-5. Uehara, a 34-year-old right hander, completed five innings while allowing just one run and one walk in his first professional game in the United States. "I think I was tenacious," the eight-times Japanese All-Star said through a translator. "I'm really happy. Right before the game, I was a little bit hyper but right now, I'm pretty calm."
The Orioles offense supported the rookie with a five-run fourth inning, capped by Nick Markakis' two-run home run. Markakis, the team's young outfielder signed to a contract extension in the off-season, also added an RBI double in the first, and finished 3-3 with two runs scored. New York captain Derek Jeter went 2-4 with a two-run homer in the ninth inning where the Yankees scored three late runs.
Mark Teixeira's RBI single off Dennis Sarfate made it 7-5 and was the first baseman's first hit as a Yankee. New York starter Wang Chien-ming lasted less than four innings, allowing seven runs and walking three. The Yankees have dropped the first two games of their three-game series with Baltimore, echoing the team's poor start last year. After staggering to a 14-15 record last April, the Yankees missed the post-season for the first time since 1994.
In the season opener, New York were thrashed 10-5, as off-season acquisitions, CC Sabathia and Teixeira, failed to fire. Uehara, plucked from overseas to be Baltimore's second starting pitcher, was cushioned early as the Orioles bolted to a 2-0 lead after the first innings. "He has got to be relieved that we can turn the page on this first one," said Orioles manager Dave Trembley. The Boston Red Sox are struggling too after losing again at home 7-2 to the Tampa Bay Rays. Scott Kazmir pitched six solid innings for the Rays while Carlos Pena hit a two-run homer after striking out in his first five at-bats this season.
Brandon Inge hit his third home run of the season and Miguel Cabrera homered twice as the Detroit Tigers picked up their first win of the season with a 5-1 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays. Justin Morneau homered and drove in three runs as the Minnesota Twins edged the Seattle Mariners 6-5 after Jason Kubel hit the go-ahead RBI double in the fifth. Rookie Elvis Andrus hit his first career home run as the Texas Rangers overcame the Cleveland Indians 8-5. Nelson Cruz led the way for Texas with two solo homers and three runs driven in.
The Kansas City Royals got a perfect performance from their bullpen to earn a 2-0 win over the Chicago White Sox, and new Los Angeles Angels closer Brian Fuentes allowed three RBI singles in the ninth inning as the Oakland Athletics rallied for a 6-4 win. * Agencies
