Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka got an opening day victory in his fourth try Thursday as the New York Yankees started the 2019 season with a 7-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

The 30-year-old Tanaka became the first Japanese-born pitcher to start four openers in the major leagues, surpassing Hideo Nomo's three. He was picked as the Yankees' starter for three consecutive season openers from 2015.

In front of a Yankee Stadium crowd of 46,928, Tanaka (1-0) allowed two runs, one earned, and six hits over 5-2/3 innings, striking out five of the 22 batters he faced and walking none in his 83-pitch outing.

"I got a big boost from my teammates in the first inning," Tanaka said of Luke Voit's three-run homer off Orioles starter Andrew Cashner (0-1).

"I was able to set the pace, we won, and it was a good day. I'm glad the fans got to see a new version of me. I'm here today because my past experiences served as a springboard," he said.

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Voit, whose home run traveled 428 feet, finished with four RBIs thanks to a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch in the fifth. Greg Bird also homered in the eighth.

With his pregnant wife in the stands, Tanaka said he was as nervous as anyone would be on opening day. Though he expressed pride in his chance to start the first game of the season, he said "this win doesn't feel extra special."

Tanaka, who had been 0-2 with a 9.49 ERA in his three previous opening day starts, replaced Luis Severino, who did not make the start because of right shoulder injury.