AL | Richie Sexson pays dividend in a New York minute

Richie Sexson finalized his contract with the Yankees on Friday and wasted no time making them both look good.

The 6-foot-8 first baseman hit a two-out RBI single in his first at-bat for New York in a 7-1 win over Oakland at Yankee Stadium.

"It felt good," said the 33-year-old Sexson, who was released last week by the Mariners. "The hardest part was not seeing a pitcher for nine days."

That didn't hinder him against Oakland, nor did his uncomfortable exit from Seattle, where he was a frequent target of boo-birds.

"We kind of had, not bad blood, but I just didn't play well there," Sexson said. "Sometimes you just need to part with that marriage."

New York hopes Sexson can provide pop from the right side and spell left-handed-hitting first baseman Jason Giambi. Sexson slumped badly against right-handed pitching with the Mariners, but hit .344 with five home runs in 71 at-bats against lefties this year.

"He's a guy who's done a lot of good things in his career, and we believe he's got a lot left," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

Sexson was immediately plugged into the lineup against Oakland left-hander Greg Smith. Sexson finished 1 for 3 with a walk. He also struck out swinging and grounded into a double play.

"It felt good to kind get off the schneid, get out and going. That's my role, to come in and try to get some hits off lefties," he said after his Yankees debut.

"I think this lineup hasn't touched what it can do yet," he said before the game. "It's exciting to come here and have an opportunity to at least push for a playoff spot down the stretch. It's going to be fun."

Baltimore: DH Aubrey Huff hit his 19th homer. That's four more than he hit all last year.

Boston: David Ortiz, recovering from a wrist injury, hit his second homer in as many games of his minor-league rehabilitation assignment with AAA Pawtucket.

Chicago: Closer Bobby Jenks was activated from the DL.

Kansas City: Cleanup hitter Jose Guillen was out of the lineup because of back spasms.

Minnesota: Rookie LHP Glen Perkins hasn't lost since May 30, one reason why LHP Francisco Liriano remains stuck in AAA Rochester. Liriano's agent has asked the players' union to investigate why his client has not been called up yet.

Oakland: SS Bobby Crosby came off the DL. ... LHP Dallas Braden will join the rotation, replacing Joe Blanton, who was traded to Philadelphia Thursday.

Tampa Bay: Reliever Al Reyes, on the DL since June 10, was activated. ... OF Carl Crawford went 1 for 4 to snap an 0-for-26 slide.

Texas: Hank Blalock was activated from the DL and will play third base. He had been scheduled to move to first base, but Chris Davis has emerged as a power threat there.

Toronto: OF Adam Lind has four homers and 17 RBI in 18 games since his call-up from AAA Syracuse.

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