ARLINGTON, Texas – Alex Rodriguez had a perfect response for the hearty boos, matching a career high with five hits to lead the New York Yankees to an 11-1 victory over the Texas Rangers in the American League on Monday.
Rodriguez also drove in four runs in his first game in Texas since admitting earlier this year that he used steroids while playing for the Rangers from 2001-03. Phil Hughes tossed eight shutout innings for New York, which has won 11 of 13.
After singling in the eighth inning in his fifth at-bat, A-Rod was lifted for a pinch runner with the Yankees already up 10-0. His first five-hit game since April 2005 raised his batting average 60 points – from .189 to .259.
Hughes (3-2) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out six before leaving after 101 pitches.
Nelson Cruz connected against Yankees reliever Alfredo Aceves in the ninth, hitting his fifth homer in six games.
Matt Harrison (4-4) allowed seven runs and 11 hits over five innings for Texas.
At Minneapolis, Jason Bay and Kevin Youkilis hit two-run doubles as Boston started a 10-game road trip with a victory over Minnesota, 6-5.
Jonathan Papelbon survived a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth by pinch-hitter Joe Mauer to get his 12th save.
Michael Cuddyer homered early for Minnesota, but Brad Penny (5-1) pitched into the sixth for his third straight victory.
Mike Lowell, who had four hits, capped the three-run third off Liriano with an RBI single.
Jacoby Ellsbury had two hits for Boston to stretch his hitting streak to 20 games.
At Kansas City, Missouri, Justin Verlander held slumping Kansas City to five hits through seven scoreless innings and Miguel Cabrera had four of Detroit’s season-high 19 hits in a 13-1 win over the Royals.
Cabrera drove in three runs for the Tigers, who won for the 23rd time in their last 31 outings at Kauffman Stadium and increased their lead over Kansas City to four games in the AL Central. Gerald Laird, Brandon Inge and Clete Thomas had two RBIs apiece. (AP)