The Yankees (1-0) and the Baltimore Orioles (0-1) kicked off the American League Division Series on Sunday evening but not before a two and a half hour rain delay in Baltimore. The games scheduled start time was 6:15 but did not get under way until 8:45 EST. The rain delay did not seem to bother C.C. Sabathia who was dominant in his start throwing nearly a complete game and earning the win.

Sabathia was brilliant only getting into trouble twice in the game. In the third inning Baltimore scored its only runs on a Nate McClouth two run single scoring Chris Davis and Lew Ford who eached singled. Sabathia was able to work out of a jam in a tie game in the 8th inning. After J.J. Hardy led off with a double, Sabathia retired the next three hitters in the heart of the O’s order Adam Jones, Matt Wieters and Mark Reynolds.  Sabathia went 8 2/3 gave up two runs on eight hits and struck out seven.

The Yankees got on the board right away in the first inning against Baltimore starter Jason Hammel.  Derek Jeter led off the game with a single back up the middle. Ichiro followed with a double in the left center field gap scoring Jeter. In the fourth inning the Yankees tied the game at two when Mark Teixeira drilled an RBI single off the top of the right field wall. Hammel went 5 2/3 gave up two runs on four hits and struck out five.

In the top of the ninth the usually reliable Baltimore closer Jim Johnson came on with the game tied at two. Russell Martin led off and broke the tie with a towering home run that just cleared the left field wall putting the Yankees up 3-2.

The Yankees weren’t done in the inning. Raul Ibanez and Derek Jeter each followed with singles. Ichiro then tapped a grounder in between first base and the pitcher’s mound scoring Eduardo Nunez who pinch ran for Ibanez putting the Yanks up 4-2. After A-Rod struck out, Robinson Cano drilled a double down the left field line scoring Jeter and Ichiro putting the Yankees up 6-2 knocking Jim Johnson out of the game. Cano advanced to third on the over throw to home. The next batter Nick Swisher hit a deep fly ball to center field off of Tommy Hunter scoring Cano from third base finally putting the Yankees up 7-2.

The Yankees will play the Orioles again on Monday night. Andy Pettitte will start for the Yankees while Wei-Yin Chen gets the start for the Orioles. Pregame coverage begins at 7:30, first pitch at 8:05 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.

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