As Alex Rodriguez was coming off of his season-long suspension many were questioning how the team, fans, and league would react to him being back. Many also questioned how his numbers would look, how often he could play, and if he would be productive for the team. A-Rod has turned his career around quickly with a season full of production and milestones, including one on Friday night.
Rodriguez hit a solo home run off of Justin Verlander in the first inning for his 3,000th career hit in the New York Yankees' 7-2 win over the Detroit Tigers. He becomes the third player to reach 3,000 hits and 600 home runs, and second Yankee to reach 3,000 hits. Derek Jeter is the other to do so, as he also hit a home run at Yankee Stadium for his 3,000th hit on July 9th, 2011.
Wade Boggs is the only other player to hit a home run for his 3,000th career hit.
Rodriguez's home run came off a 95 mph fastball out of the hands of Verlander. It was his fifth home run in 35 at-bats in his career against the Tigers' right-hander. The Yankees' third baseman also becomes the 29th player in major league history to reach 3,000 hits, and first since Jeter did it.
The three-time AL MVP turns 40 next month, but is enjoying an impressive season as a designated hitter, as the home run was his 13th of the season. It was also his 667th career home run and he began the day batting .299 in 21 major league seasons.
Zack Hample, the 37 year-old who caught the home run ball, says he has caught nearly 6,000 balls and is keeping this one to add to his collection. He tweeted out a day earlier that Rodriguez "deserves favors from no one, least of all a fan."
Brett Gardner and Didi Gregorius also went deep in New York's third consecutive win. The Tigers have lost four of six. Adam Warren gave up gave up two runs in a career-high eight inning to run his record to 5-4, as he defeated the Tigers for the second time this season.
Verlander made his second start off the DL, suffering his first loss, as he gave up six runs on 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings. It was his 300th career start, but he fell to 0-4 at the new Yankee Stadium. Miguel Cabrera's streak of six consecutive games with an RBI came to an end.
These two teams will continue their weekend series on Saturday night.
Rodriguez hit a solo home run off of Justin Verlander in the first inning for his 3,000th career hit in the New York Yankees' 7-2 win over the Detroit Tigers. He becomes the third player to reach 3,000 hits and 600 home runs, and second Yankee to reach 3,000 hits. Derek Jeter is the other to do so, as he also hit a home run at Yankee Stadium for his 3,000th hit on July 9th, 2011.
Wade Boggs is the only other player to hit a home run for his 3,000th career hit.
Rodriguez's home run came off a 95 mph fastball out of the hands of Verlander. It was his fifth home run in 35 at-bats in his career against the Tigers' right-hander. The Yankees' third baseman also becomes the 29th player in major league history to reach 3,000 hits, and first since Jeter did it.
The three-time AL MVP turns 40 next month, but is enjoying an impressive season as a designated hitter, as the home run was his 13th of the season. It was also his 667th career home run and he began the day batting .299 in 21 major league seasons.
Zack Hample, the 37 year-old who caught the home run ball, says he has caught nearly 6,000 balls and is keeping this one to add to his collection. He tweeted out a day earlier that Rodriguez "deserves favors from no one, least of all a fan."
Brett Gardner and Didi Gregorius also went deep in New York's third consecutive win. The Tigers have lost four of six. Adam Warren gave up gave up two runs in a career-high eight inning to run his record to 5-4, as he defeated the Tigers for the second time this season.
Verlander made his second start off the DL, suffering his first loss, as he gave up six runs on 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings. It was his 300th career start, but he fell to 0-4 at the new Yankee Stadium. Miguel Cabrera's streak of six consecutive games with an RBI came to an end.
These two teams will continue their weekend series on Saturday night.
