The Yankees apparently could use some protection against being bugged by the guys stationed in their dugout to protect them.

Two Maryland state troopers assigned to the visitors dugout at Camden Yards chose the top of the ninth inning during Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Sunday night to ask for autographs from Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher, the New York Post reported.

Jeter, asked if that were a first, told the Post: What do you think?

The troopers could have been more helpful to Orioles fans if they'd figured out a way to detain Russell Martin when it was his turn to bat in the ninth.

Speaking of the Post, one of their writers was ready to stick a pin in Orioles Magic after Sundays 7-2 Yankees win. Ken Davidoff, writing about Martins go-ahead homer off closer Jim Johnson, said:

It has seemed, pretty much all of the time, as if Buck Showalters Orioles won a yearlong sabbatical from reality, and they had invited us to bear witness to their little adventure.

Then came Russell Martin. Hes from Canada, but here in Game 1, you could call him Russell From Reality.

Suddenly, reality bit baseballs biggest surprise.

Both Swisher and Mark Teixeira entered this series with poor postseason track records as Yankees. Swisher had hit .160 and Teixeira .170. But they had strong starts in Game 1. Swisher had a single, sacrifice fly and two walks, while Teixeira singled twice and walked once.

You guys dont have to worry about me, man, we just have to pick up the Ws, Swisher said, as reported by the New York Daily News. We feel like we have a great lineup, top to bottom. We have our two magicians up at the top and nothing but thunder all the way down. For me, Im having the most fun Ive had in a while.