Cano powers Yanks to 9 straight wins, 7-4 over O's

[May 22, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Robinson Cano helped New York race out to a big lead after losing Joba Chamberlain to a leg injury in the first inning, driving in three runs as the Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-4 on Thursday night for their ninth straight win.

Cano hit an RBI double in New York's four-run first and a two-run shot in the second. Melky Cabrera, subbing for a sore Johnny Damon, had a two-run double in the first and Hideki Matsui connected in the fifth to give Yankee Stadium the record for most homers in a ballpark's first 20 games.

Mariano Rivera tossed a perfect ninth inning for his 57th save against Baltimore, his most against any team. It also was career save No. 491, his second in two days and his ninth in 10 opportunities this season.

New York last won nine in a row June 5-14, 2007.

Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis went deep for the Orioles, who have lost four straight and five of six. Ty Wigginton hit a two-run double in the sixth to end an 0-for-16 skid by Baltimore pinch hitters to open the season.

Chamberlain didn't last very long in his first start against the Orioles since Aubrey Huff mocked him with two exaggerated fist pumps while he rounded the bases following a three-run homer off the demonstrative right-hander on May 10.

Adam Jones' one-out liner in the first inning hit Chamberlain just above his right knee. He threw to first to retire the center fielder, took a few shaky steps near the mound then bent over as manager Joe Girardi and trainer Gene Monahan came out of the dugout.

After a short conference, Chamberlain threw a couple of warmup pitches and remained in the game. Markakis then singled ahead of Huff, who was booed each time he came to the plate and dumped Chamberlain's second pitch into the right-field corner for another single.

That brought Girardi and Monahan out to the mound again and this time Chamberlain walked gingerly toward the dugout. Alfredo Aceves (3-0) then got Melvin Mora to fly out to end the inning.

The Yankees said X-rays on Chamberlain's bruised right knee were negative. It was unclear if the injury was severe enough to force him to miss a start.

Derek Jeter, Cano and Mark Teixeira opened the bottom half of the first with consecutive doubles off Adam Eaton (2-5) to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Cabrera came up with his big hit after Eaton walked Nick Swisher with two outs.

Markakis' solo shot in the seventh was the 75th at New York's $1.5 billion stadium, putting it two ahead of the previous mark for the first 20 games at a new park. Puerto Rico's Hiram Bithorn Stadium was the record holder, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Notes: Orioles SS Cesar Izturis (strained left groin) ran in the outfield, fielded some grounders and took batting practice before the game. ... Damon collided with the left-field wall while trying to make a play on Jones' homer in the fifth inning of New York's 11-4 victory Wednesday night. ... Yankees RHP Chien-Ming Wang (hips) is slated to make his third rehab start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday night at Pawtucket. ... Markakis' first-inning single ended an 0-for-10 rut. ... Wigginton stayed in to make his first career appearance at shortstop.

[Associated Press; By JAY COHEN]

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