NEW YORK Alex Rodriguez has passed Willie Mays for fourth place on the career homer list, connecting for No. 661 Thursday night an at-bat after he was robbed of the milestone drive by a leaping catch.
The New York Yankees star hit a drive off Baltimore’s Chris Tillman just to the left of Monument Park in center field in the third inning. A-Rod sent a shot in the first that Delmon Young caught by reaching over the top of the wall in right field.
The Yankees, who said they will not pay a $6 million bonus after he matched the Say Hey Kid on Friday in Boston, put a message honoring the milestone that gave New York a 3-2 lead.
The slugger pumped his fist as he rounded first base, and fans gave Rodriguez a standing ovation.
Mark Teixeira stepped out of the batter’s box as the cheers swelled. Rodriguez briefly emerged from the dugout and waved to the crowd with both hands above his head.