No longer, Girardi was telling reporters before the game, does every team rely on slugging. Pitching has become the key, and to support pitching, you need defense. Which means you need young, athletic guys who can run.

Then, almost on cue, rookie Brett Gardner stated his case for a full-time shot at center next season with a stunning catch that helped save a game and inspired a standing ovation.

Gardner raced back to the wall and leapt to steal a home run from Baltimore's Luke Scott in the third inning of a 3-2 win.

The fans gave him a long, loud ovation and chanted his name.

Of course, for Gardner to become a mainstay, he will have to hit better than he has in the big leagues so far.

But he provides a new concept of a center fielder for a Yankees team that hasn't seen his type of speed in a long time.

YANKEES 3, ORIOLES 2: Robinson Cano stayed hot with a home run, Carl Pavano won his fourth game and rookie Brett Gardner stole a home run from Baltimore's Luke Scott with a leaping catch in center while also driving in another. The combination gave the Yankees their sixth win in seven games in the opener of Yankee Stadium's final series.