ICYMI: Alex Rodriguez Hits 661st Home Run in Victory Over Baltimore

The New York Yankees returned to the Bronx to beat the Baltimore Orioles  4-3 on Thursday.  Alex Rodriguez passed Willie Mays on the all-time home run list when he blasted his 661^st home run in the third inning to break a 2-2 tie.

The series opener featured Nathan Eovaldi who improved to 3-0 with the win and Orioles’ Chris Tillman (2-4 ) was the losing pitcher. Eovaldi looked rocky in the early innings and surrendered two early homeruns.  Paredes homered to center field in the first inning to give Baltimore the early 1-0 lead.

However, that lead was short-lived as the red hot Jacoby Ellsbury and nearly as hot Brett Gardner each reached on a pair of singles setting the table for an A-Rod sac fly to tie the score at 1-1.  The Yankees regained the lead as Mark Teixera  singled in the bottom of the first. Teixeira was thrown out trying to stretch out a double to end the bottom of the first with the Yankees leading  2-1.

Eovaldi had a smooth second inning before giving up his second long ball of the night to Caleb Joseph who tied the game 2-2 in the third.

May 7, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees center fielder

(22) advances to third during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The game was not tied for long though, as A-Rod blasted a home run to centerfield to give the Yanks a 3-2 lead. Yankee fans called for a curtain call as they honored A-Rod for the milestone home run.

That would be all for home runs, milestones or otherwise, but the Orioles would score one more run in the fifth inning as Joseph would double to center to plate Travis Snider tying the game once more at 3-3.

It was not a night in which the Yankees would allow the score to be tied for long though, as they took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth.  Gardner doubled before Mark Teixeira sent the speedy Gardner home on a double of his own, giving his team a 4-3 lead for good.

In the sixth inning both starters would leave the game in the hands of their bullpens. The Yankees relief core was stellar once again. Justin Wilson pitched a strong 1.1 innings before handing the game over to Dellin Betances in the 8th who was outstanding setting up Andrew Miller for his 12^th save.

The top of the Yankees line up was an impressive 8-for-13 with two doubles and a home run. Struggling infielder Stephen Drew was 1-3 with a walk and a double. Ellsbury extended his hit streak to 10 games.

The Yankees continue their series in the Bronx Friday night, with Adam Warren (2-1, 4.78 ERA) facing Miguel Gonzales (3-1, 2.59ERA) with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET.