Arrieta shines in first Major League outing

The Orioles avoided being swept by the New York Yankees Thursday night by recording one of the most satisfying wins of the season behind Jake Arrieta who made his Major League debut at Camden Yards. Arrieta was outstanding in front of the home crowd, keeping the Yankees at bay by making pitches when he needed to and getting outs when he needed to. The 24-year-old, who led the minors in ERA with 1.85, admitted the first couple of innings were adrenaline-driven but he was able to settle down, calm his nerves and stick to his game plan.... attacking the hitters with his fastball.

Reaching 97 MPH in the first inning, Arrieta said after the game that the first batter he faced in the Majors, Yankees' shortstop Derek Jeter, was a special moment he will never forget and one he will share with his children in the future. While there was discussions as to why Arrieta was "thrown into the fire" to face the Yankees, manager Juan Samuel explained before the game that Arrieta was going to have to face them at some point in his career, so why not now.

Arrieta said he was excited to know he was going to be tested against the defending World Champions and went into the game with confidence. David Hernandez, who earned his first save of the season in the closer role, was also feeling confident about himself after facing the top of the Yankees' order (Jeter and Swisher) after walking the  No. 9 batter Kevin Russo with one out.

When I asked Hernandez if he liked closing, he answered, "I do now," with a smile.

Hernandez will stay in the closing role until Alfredo Simon comes of the disabled list.

The offense only needed four runs to get past the Yankees -- In the first, Ty Wigginton sparked the offense with  a sac fly RBI and  Adam Jones added an RBI single. Scott Moore hit a solo home run in the fifth, his first of the season and fifth in the Majors, and Adam Jones again knocked in the final run with an RBI double in the sixth.