BALTIMORE -- Luke Voit tracked the flight of his third home run in as many days, raising his right fist and making no attempt to conceal a broad grin. His exuberance is a welcome sight for the Yankees, who believe that they can feed off that fresh energy as August draws to a close.
Voit put the finishing touches on a terrific weekend with a two-run blast in the Yankees' 5-3 victory over the Orioles on Sunday at Camden Yards. The 27-year-old went 7-for-11 with three home runs seven RBIs in the four-game set, and with Greg Bird continuing to slump, Voit is loudly stating his case for taking over as the Bombers' first baseman.
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"Honestly, I'm having fun. I'm finally getting some at-bats and a chance," Voit said. "I've never gotten that before. Some of it could be luck, too. I know luck is part of baseball, but I had a good weekend, so I'll keep going. The big thing is, we swept them. It's big for us and big for our division and the Wild Card and everything. I'm just ready to get things rolling."
Voit's new teammates are taking notice. His July 28 acquisition from the Cardinals -- for left-hander Chasen Shreve and right-hander Giovanny Gallegos -- prompted some quizzical exchanges in the Yankees' clubhouse, but now there is great pleasure with what Voit is adding to the room.
"He's so good," Luis Severino said. "I get so happy when he hits a homer. He's smiling all the way until he gets to home plate. He's had a few pretty good games, done a really good job in the games, hitting for power. He's got a good eye, getting on base with walks. He's doing everything right now."

Yankees manager Aaron Boone has said he remains open to giving Bird at-bats, but there is considerable temptation to ride the hot hand, especially with the Red Sox moving into view in the American League East chase. Boone said he has been impressed by Voit's quality work at the plate and his mental approach.
"He's got a little confidence, a little swagger," Boone said. "I think he comes in with an anticipation that he's going to be successful. Regardless of the situation, I think he's a guy that believes he can hit. He believes he can hit in this league. With his opportunities so far, he's shown it."
Blocked on the Cardinals' depth chart by Matt Carpenter and Jose Martinez, Voit said he welcomed the trade to the Yankees. His first stint (Aug. 2-12) yielded three hits in 16 at-bats (.188), but Voit hit well at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and was recalled to provide thump off the bench when closer Albertin Chapman went on the disabled list.
He has done that and then some, yet he probably didn't envision being serenaded twice by chants of "LUUUUKE" so quickly, a sound that brought him back to his days as a high school middle linebacker and fullback. His sport has changed, but Voit is still giving fans reasons to cheer.
"The big thing for me is, I try to be that upbeat guy in the locker room," Voit said. "Maybe it's that football guy in me. That was my sport growing up until I had some injuries. If I'm not out there having fun, then take me away from this game. I want to bring enthusiasm. Why not?"