Joe Girardi Wins Debut in Final Cathedral Opener

Bronx, NY—Joe Girardi is all smiles in the dugout after the final out in the ninth as the Yankees win their season opener against the Blue Jays 3-2. 

After Rivera got the save, he handed Girardi the game-winning ball. 

Joba Chamberlain pitched one inning of relief in the eighth where he struggled some but quickly rebounded, striking out two batters.  Frank Thomas, the last batter he faced, was struck out on a high fastball. 

Chein Ming-Wang went seven innings strong, allowing a few runs early on but seemed to be on his game most of the night. 

Yankee hitting was stellar most of the night against one of the best pitchers in baseball—Roy Halladay. 

Alex Rodriguez started the offense off in the first with an RBI double. 

In the sixth inning, Melky Cabrera hit a solo home run to tie the game up at two runs apiece.

The Yankees took the lead 3-2 in the seventh on a fielder's choice groundout by Matsui as Rodriguez crossed home plate and then never looked back. 

Melky Cabrera is without a doubt the MVP in this game, robbing two hard hit balls in the outfield and nearly a third diving catch that he just missed.  He also tied the game up with the solo home run. The "Melk Man" delivered this evening.

The Yankees looked poised all night to bring this game home, even when they were down by one in the early innings.

Since its opening, the Yankees have won 29 of their 39 season openers at Yankee Stadium, including 11 straight home openers since the 1998 campaign.

This game was very important—not just for the season to get started on a good note under Girardi, but also for the history of Yankee Stadium in its farewell season. 

This is the beginning of the end for the stadium, but it is also the start of a special year in pinstripes.