Let's get the bad news out of the way. Joba was knocked out of the game after getting two outs in the first. He was hit below the right knee by a line drive. The good news is that X-rays were taken and they came back negative, so it looks like it's just a bruise.

But, Alfredo Aceves (how good has he been?) stepped and was lights out, taking a first and third, two out jam, getting out of it and pitching 3 scoreless innings after that. Aceves picked up the victory, improving to 3-0 with a 1.32 ERA.

The Yankees offense took the pressure off of the pitching staff early, getting out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. It was a trio of RBI doubles that brought the runs in. First, Robinson Cano doubled in Derek Jeter, then Mark Teixeira doubled home Cano. Finally, Melky continued his hot hitting with a two RBI double that brought around both Teixeira and Nick Swisher

Cano hit in the second spot and had a huge day, hitting a two run homer in the second inning and finishing 3 for 4 with 2 runs and 3 RBI.

Jonathan Albaladejo relieved Aceves to start the fifth and immediately surrendered the first run of the game on a Brian Roberts home run. In the sixth, he allowed two more runs to score. And in the seventh, he allowed another homer. That was it for the big righty as Jose Veras was called in and did the job, throwing a scoreless 1 and 2/3, giving way to The Honorable Mariano Rivera.

His Judgeship pitched a 1-2-3 inning, needing just 11 pitches to set down the 2, 3 and 4 hitters in the Orioles lineup.

Beside Cano's hot night, Matsui hit a solo home run and Teixiera also went 2 for 3, raising his average to .250. Before A-Rod's first game of the season on May 8, the first baseman was hitting .198. Quite the difference 11 games can make - he's gone 17 for 45 in that span with 3 doubles, 6 home runs, 11 runs and 17 RBI.

The Yankees win streak rolls on to 9 games as the team improves to 24-17 - just 1 and a half games back from the division leading Blue Jays.

The Yankees begin an interleague series on Friday at 7:05 PM ET as A.J. Burnett (2-1, 5.02) will face Brett Myers (3-2, 4.50) of the Phillies in the Bronx.

Recap records: Patrick: 13–5, Seamus: 9–8, Andrew: 2–4.