Yankees hold on to win Home Opener, 7-5!

Today was Opening Day in the Bronx against the Angels.

More importantly, it marked the official end of the 2009 campaign when the players were called out one by one in reverse uniform number order to receive their World Series Championship rings.

In addition, the Yankees showed a touch of class when they announced World Series MVP and now former Yankee Hideki Matsui to join the celebration.

He was greeted by his former teammates with open arms as he were still part of their current team.

The Yankee faithful also acknowledged by giving him an arousing ovation.

Shortly thereafter, it was back to business as usual on the field.

In true world class fashion, the ceremonial first pitch was thrown out by another modern Yankee legend, Bernie Williams number 51.

As for the game itself, Andy Pettitte pitched in and out of trouble during his 6 shutout innings.

The first run of the new season at the Stadium was provided by newly acquired and former Yankee Nick Johnson who was brought in to take Hideki Matsui's place.

He came through and he delivered a solo home run into the bleachers in right centerfield in the first inning.

In the third inning, Derek Jeter lead off with a solo blast of his own when he hit the ball into the right centerfield bullpen to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, Jeter hit a grounder hard off Angels pitcher Ervin Santana's leg and the ball caromed towards the third baseman to plate another run with the bases loaded.

In the sixth inning, Alex Rodgriguez aka "A-Rod" came up big with 2 outs when he hit a ball that veered off third baseman Brandon Wood's outstretched glove that landed in short leftfield driving 2 more runs to make the score 5-0!

The Angels finally broke the shutout in the top of the eighth inning when first baseman Kendry Morales hit a 2 out solo home run to right.

In the bottom half of the eighth, the Yankees added 2 more runs that wound up becoming necessary as it turned out.

Heading to the ninth inning with an apparent comfortable 6 run lead, reliever David Robertson managed to record just one out.

In addition, he loaded the bases giving up three hits in the process.

After he got Erick Aybar looking at strike 3 for the first out, former Yankee Bobby Abreu came to the plate.

"El Como Dulce" sweet as candy as John Sterling, the Yankees radio announcer referred to him when he was a Yankee, delivered a grand slam to right center to unload the bases.

After stalling tactfully for time, Manager Joe Girardi summoned Mariano Rivera from the bullpen to try and secure the Yankee victory.

As usual, Mo mowed them down in a matter of seconds to record his third save of the season.

Andy Pettitte gained the win. It was the 230th of his illustruious career.