Jesus Montero, the top prospect in the New York Yankees minor-league system, showed a little of what the fuss was all about Monday afternoon. Montero hit the first two home runs of his major-league career, driving in three runs, as the Yankees outscored the Baltimore Orioles, 11-10.
Montero, a 21-year-old right-handed hitter, drove both of his home runs deep into the right-field stands. He hit a two-run homer off Jim Johnson in the fifth inning and a solo shot off Johnson in the seventh.
The Yankees used seven pitchers as starter Freddy Garcia was roughed up for seven runs on nine hits in 2.2 innings of work. Mariano Rivera pitched out of a jam in the ninth inning, allowing a run and stranding runners at second and third by striking out J.J. Hardy to end the game. Aaron Laffey (1-0) got the win, pitching just two-thirds of an inning.
Baltimore lost despite collecting 17 hits.
Robinson Cano hit his third grand slam of the season in a six-run second inning for the Yankees.