NEW YORK ó Former Roberson High (N.C.) standout Cameron Maybin made his major-league baseball debut last Friday night at Yankee Stadium, finishing 0-for-4 with two strikeouts for the Detroit Tigers, but he rebounded by slamming his first big-league home run the next day.

Maybin, who started in left field on Friday, hit No. 2 in the order. He faced Yankees southpaw Andy Pettitte. Maybin jumped from the Tigersí High-A affiliate in Lakeland, Fla., to Double-A Erie, Pa., two weeks ago before the Tigers elevated him Friday to the sportís highest level.

Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said Maybin basically forced his way to the big leagues by playing so impressively in his one week in Erie, where he smashed four homers in his first five games.

ìWhat better place to have your debut than Yankee Stadium?î Maybin, 20, told The Associated Press.
On Saturday, Maybin, batting in the No. 9 spot, finished with two hits against the Yankeesí Roger Clemens in a 5-2 loss at Yankee Stadium. Maybinís first hit was a hit-and-run single in his first at-bat, followed b the long home run in the fifth inning.