"You don't want to be 0-3," manager Joe Girardi said. "Two games doesn't make a season or a start, but you still don't want to be 0-3."

Especially with the expectations placed upon the Yankees following the winter's $400 million-plus shopping spree. Teixeira opened the season by going hitless in his first eight at-bats, much to the chagrin of notoriously fickle Yankees fans and much to the joy of the jilted Baltimore fans who hoped the Maryland native would sign with the Orioles.

But Teixeira, who agreed to an eight-year deal worth $180 million just before Christmas, quieted the early critics by going 2-for-5 with a solo homer and two runs.

"Anytime you go a stretch, two games without a hit or whatever, eight at-bats, you want to get a couple hits," Teixeira said.

Burnett, who signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract in December, was impressive in allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out six.

"A.J. pitched great. That's why we got him, to have performances like he did today," Teixeira said. "He's just going to keep getting better as the season goes on."

The most impressive newcomer Thursday may have been the less-ballyhooed Nick Swisher, who was acquired from the White Sox in November and was in line to start at first base before Teixeira's signing. Swisher made his first start for the Yankees a memorable one by going 3-for-5 with five RBIs.

YANKEES 11, ORIOLES 2: A.J. Burnett tossed 5 1/3 strong innings, Mark Teixeira hit his first homer and Nick Swisher went 3-for-5 with a homer and five RBIs as the Yankees cruised past the Orioles for their first win of the season. The Yankees spotted the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the third inning but scored three times in the fourth, four times in the sixth and twice apiece in the seventh and ninth. Robinson Cano lifted his average to .545 by going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and four runs, while Brett Gardner was 2-for-4. A quartet of Yankees relievers retired all 11 batters they faced.