NEW YORK -- On the brink of another major milestone during a surprisingly successful comeback season, Alex Rodriguez stood on first base and soaked in the adulation of an adoring crowd.
A-Rod certainly didn't expect it to be this good.
Rodriguez reached 2,999 hits with a pair of singles, and Carlos Beltran and Brett Gardner each had two-run homers, leading the New York Yankees to a 9-4 victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday night.
"I don't even know how to describe it. It feels great," Rodriguez said. "Every time moments like that happen, I can just reflect on a year ago today."
Sixty-six games into his return from a yearlong drug suspension, Rodriguez hit an RBI single in the first inning for the second straight night, flied out to right field in the third and hit a sharp grounder past diving third baseman Donovan Solano in the fifth to move within one hit of becoming the 29th player to reach the 3,000 plateau.
He lined out in the sixth, his first try at joining the elite club -- swinging at specially marked balls.
Yankee Stadium speakers blared with a piece of Beethoven's famed Symphony No. 5 as Rodriguez came to bat in the eighth with nearly all of the 38,239 cheering fans rising to their feet, camera phones flashing.
"The fans just want to see the players do well, that's the bottom line, and he has done well," manager Joe Girardi said in explaining the support for Rodriguez. "Sometimes people pull for people to fight back and get back up, when they've been knocked down."
Miami reliever Sam Dyson didn't give A-Rod a chance to swing, throwing four inside pitches that sent the slugger leaping back each time.
"I threw him four fastballs inside. That was the sequence," Dyson said. "If he was gonna beat me he was gonna have to get the head out. I ended up throwing four balls kind of at his belt, not the plate."
The boos got louder with each pitch and turned to vulgar chants aimed at Dyson that lasted until he was lifted three batters later, following Chris Young's RBI double.
"It is what it is," Dyson said of the jeers. "I tried beating him with my best stuff."
The Yankees made every effort to get Rodriguez one more shot at the milestone, sending six men to the plate after his walk. Brian McCann had an RBI single and Stephen Drew added a sacrifice fly in the inning.
Gardner's longball chased Mat Latos in the sixth to tie it at 3, and Beltran, who was booed when he popped out to end the sixth, put New York ahead with a drive to left an inning later off reliever Mike Dunn (1-4) and rounded the bases to loud applause.
CC Sabathia gave up three runs in six effective innings, allowing Giancarlo Stanton's major league-leading 25th homer, as the Yankees won for their ninth time in their last 10 home games.
"It's hard for me. It's difficult not being the guy I used to be, going deep in the games," Sabathia said. " I just go out there as hard as I can until I'm done."
Chasen Shreve (4-1) gave up a hit in one inning for the win.
With A-Rod in the lineup as the designated hitter, the Yankees won the final two games of a four-game, home-and-home series that began in Miami. The three-time MVP was limited to one pinch-hit at-bat in two losses at the NL ballpark.
A night after being no-hit into the seventh by Michael Pineda, Gordon tripled for Miami's first hit off Sabathia leading off the seventh. He scored on Christian Yelich's groundout to tie it 1-all.
The Marlins then went ahead in the fifth on Jeff Mathis' sacrifice fly. Stanton's homer to left field in the sixth made it 3-1.
Stanton has 13 homers in his last 23 games.
"It just shows you how special he truly is," Marlins manager Dan Jennings said. "On any given swing he can leave the ballpark. We're watching him become more of a complete hitter."
In his second start since coming off the disabled, Latos gave up nine hits and three runs in 5 2/3 innings.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: INF Martin Prado (right shoulder) was put on the DL, retroactive to June 15. Jennings said Prado worked out in Florida, but is still too sore.
Yankees: CF Jacoby Ellsbury (knee) ran from first to third several times during batting practice. It was first thought that Ellsbury would go to the Yankees' complex in Florida for rehab after the series in Miami, but he returned to New York with the team. Girardi said it was not a setback.
A HALL OF A BAT
Baseball's Hall of Fame said A-Rod has donated the bat he used to get his 2,000th RBI, on Saturday in Baltimore. The bat will be displayed in the Today's Game exhibit.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Dan Haren (6-3) faces the Reds. He has struggled at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, with a 5.59 ERA in six games, five starts.
Yankees: RHP Adam Warren (4-4) starts against the Detroit Tigers. Warren has a 2.81 ERA in his four losses.
A-Rod certainly didn't expect it to be this good.
Rodriguez reached 2,999 hits with a pair of singles, and Carlos Beltran and Brett Gardner each had two-run homers, leading the New York Yankees to a 9-4 victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday night.
"I don't even know how to describe it. It feels great," Rodriguez said. "Every time moments like that happen, I can just reflect on a year ago today."
Sixty-six games into his return from a yearlong drug suspension, Rodriguez hit an RBI single in the first inning for the second straight night, flied out to right field in the third and hit a sharp grounder past diving third baseman Donovan Solano in the fifth to move within one hit of becoming the 29th player to reach the 3,000 plateau.
He lined out in the sixth, his first try at joining the elite club -- swinging at specially marked balls.
Yankee Stadium speakers blared with a piece of Beethoven's famed Symphony No. 5 as Rodriguez came to bat in the eighth with nearly all of the 38,239 cheering fans rising to their feet, camera phones flashing.
"The fans just want to see the players do well, that's the bottom line, and he has done well," manager Joe Girardi said in explaining the support for Rodriguez. "Sometimes people pull for people to fight back and get back up, when they've been knocked down."
Miami reliever Sam Dyson didn't give A-Rod a chance to swing, throwing four inside pitches that sent the slugger leaping back each time.
"I threw him four fastballs inside. That was the sequence," Dyson said. "If he was gonna beat me he was gonna have to get the head out. I ended up throwing four balls kind of at his belt, not the plate."
The boos got louder with each pitch and turned to vulgar chants aimed at Dyson that lasted until he was lifted three batters later, following Chris Young's RBI double.
"It is what it is," Dyson said of the jeers. "I tried beating him with my best stuff."
The Yankees made every effort to get Rodriguez one more shot at the milestone, sending six men to the plate after his walk. Brian McCann had an RBI single and Stephen Drew added a sacrifice fly in the inning.
Gardner's longball chased Mat Latos in the sixth to tie it at 3, and Beltran, who was booed when he popped out to end the sixth, put New York ahead with a drive to left an inning later off reliever Mike Dunn (1-4) and rounded the bases to loud applause.
CC Sabathia gave up three runs in six effective innings, allowing Giancarlo Stanton's major league-leading 25th homer, as the Yankees won for their ninth time in their last 10 home games.
"It's hard for me. It's difficult not being the guy I used to be, going deep in the games," Sabathia said. " I just go out there as hard as I can until I'm done."
Chasen Shreve (4-1) gave up a hit in one inning for the win.
With A-Rod in the lineup as the designated hitter, the Yankees won the final two games of a four-game, home-and-home series that began in Miami. The three-time MVP was limited to one pinch-hit at-bat in two losses at the NL ballpark.
A night after being no-hit into the seventh by Michael Pineda, Gordon tripled for Miami's first hit off Sabathia leading off the seventh. He scored on Christian Yelich's groundout to tie it 1-all.
The Marlins then went ahead in the fifth on Jeff Mathis' sacrifice fly. Stanton's homer to left field in the sixth made it 3-1.
Stanton has 13 homers in his last 23 games.
"It just shows you how special he truly is," Marlins manager Dan Jennings said. "On any given swing he can leave the ballpark. We're watching him become more of a complete hitter."
In his second start since coming off the disabled, Latos gave up nine hits and three runs in 5 2/3 innings.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: INF Martin Prado (right shoulder) was put on the DL, retroactive to June 15. Jennings said Prado worked out in Florida, but is still too sore.
Yankees: CF Jacoby Ellsbury (knee) ran from first to third several times during batting practice. It was first thought that Ellsbury would go to the Yankees' complex in Florida for rehab after the series in Miami, but he returned to New York with the team. Girardi said it was not a setback.
A HALL OF A BAT
Baseball's Hall of Fame said A-Rod has donated the bat he used to get his 2,000th RBI, on Saturday in Baltimore. The bat will be displayed in the Today's Game exhibit.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Dan Haren (6-3) faces the Reds. He has struggled at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, with a 5.59 ERA in six games, five starts.
Yankees: RHP Adam Warren (4-4) starts against the Detroit Tigers. Warren has a 2.81 ERA in his four losses.
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Miami - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| CC Sabathia pitching for New York | MIA | NYY |
| Gordon grounded out to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Hechavarría struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Yelich grounded out to second. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Mat Latos pitching for Miami | MIA | NYY |
| Gardner singled to left. | 0 | 0 |
| Headley reached on infield single to shortstop, Gardner to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Rodriguez singled to shallow center, Gardner scored, Headley to second. | 0 | 1 |
| Teixeira flied out to center, Headley to third. | 0 | 1 |
| McCann walked, Rodriguez to second. | 0 | 1 |
| Beltrán struck out swinging. | 0 | 1 |
| Gregorius popped out to shortstop. | 0 | 1 |
| 1 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Miami - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| CC Sabathia pitching for New York | MIA | NYY |
| Stanton popped out to first. | 0 | 1 |
| Ozuna struck out looking. | 0 | 1 |
| Baker flied out to center. | 0 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Mat Latos pitching for Miami | MIA | NYY |
| Drew flied out to center. | 0 | 1 |
| Williams doubled to left. | 0 | 1 |
| Gardner grounded out to first, Williams to third. | 0 | 1 |
| Headley struck out swinging. | 0 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Miami - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| CC Sabathia pitching for New York | MIA | NYY |
| Bour grounded out to first. | 0 | 1 |
| D. Solano struck out swinging. | 0 | 1 |
| Mathis struck out looking. | 0 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Mat Latos pitching for Miami | MIA | NYY |
| Rodriguez flied out to right. | 0 | 1 |
| Teixeira grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 1 |
| McCann singled to center. | 0 | 1 |
| Beltrán walked, McCann to second. | 0 | 1 |
| Gregorius struck out swinging. | 0 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Miami - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| CC Sabathia pitching for New York | MIA | NYY |
| Gordon tripled to deep right. | 0 | 1 |
| Hechavarría struck out looking. | 0 | 1 |
| Yelich grounded out to second, Gordon scored. | 1 | 1 |
| Stanton singled to shallow left center. | 1 | 1 |
| Ozuna grounded out to third. | 1 | 1 |
| 1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Mat Latos pitching for Miami | MIA | NYY |
| Drew flied out to center. | 1 | 1 |
| Williams grounded out to catcher. | 1 | 1 |
| Gardner struck out swinging. | 1 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Miami - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| CC Sabathia pitching for New York | MIA | NYY |
| Baker singled to left. | 1 | 1 |
| Bour hit by pitch, Baker to second. | 1 | 1 |
| D. Solano flied out to center, Baker to third. | 1 | 1 |
| Mathis hit sacrifice fly to center, Baker scored. | 2 | 1 |
| Gordon singled to right, Bour to third. | 2 | 1 |
| Hechavarría struck out looking. | 2 | 1 |
| 1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Mat Latos pitching for Miami | MIA | NYY |
| Headley struck out looking. | 2 | 1 |
| Rodriguez reached on infield single to third. | 2 | 1 |
| Teixeira doubled to right, Rodriguez to third. | 2 | 1 |
| McCann struck out swinging. | 2 | 1 |
| Beltrán popped out to shortstop. | 2 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Miami - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| CC Sabathia pitching for New York | MIA | NYY |
| Yelich grounded out to second. | 2 | 1 |
| Stanton homered to left (405 feet). | 3 | 1 |
| Ozuna fouled out to first. | 3 | 1 |
| Baker struck out swinging. | 3 | 1 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Mat Latos pitching for Miami | MIA | NYY |
| Gregorius flied out to left. | 3 | 1 |
| Drew grounded out to shortstop. | 3 | 1 |
| Williams doubled to deep right. | 3 | 1 |
| Gardner homered to right center (397 feet), Williams scored. | 3 | 3 |
| Dunn relieved Latos. | 3 | 3 |
| Headley singled to center. | 3 | 3 |
| Rodriguez lined out to right. | 3 | 3 |
| 2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Miami - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| Chasen Shreve pitching for New York | MIA | NYY |
| Bour singled to center. | 3 | 3 |
| D. Solano grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Bour out at second. | 3 | 3 |
| Mathis struck out swinging. | 3 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Mike Dunn pitching for Miami | MIA | NYY |
| Teixeira struck out looking. | 3 | 3 |
| McCann singled to left center. | 3 | 3 |
| Beltrán homered to left center (390 feet), McCann scored. | 3 | 5 |
| Gregorius fouled out to third. | 3 | 5 |
| Drew walked. | 3 | 5 |
| Capps relieved Dunn. | 3 | 5 |
| Williams walked, Drew to second. | 3 | 5 |
| Drew to third, Williams to second on wild pitch by Capps. | 3 | 5 |
| Gardner struck out swinging. | 3 | 5 |
| 2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Miami - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Justin Wilson pitching for New York | MIA | NYY |
| Gordon singled to center. | 3 | 5 |
| Hechavarría struck out swinging. | 3 | 5 |
| Yelich struck out swinging. | 3 | 5 |
| Stanton grounded out to first. | 3 | 5 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Sam Dyson pitching for Miami | MIA | NYY |
| Headley walked. | 3 | 5 |
| Rodriguez walked, Headley to second. | 3 | 5 |
| Teixeira lined out to left. | 3 | 5 |
| McCann singled to right center, Headley scored, Rodriguez to third. | 3 | 6 |
| Rodriguez scored, McCann to second on wild pitch by Dyson. | 3 | 7 |
| Young doubled to deep left, McCann scored. | 3 | 8 |
| Mazzaro relieved Dyson. | 3 | 8 |
| Gregorius singled to center, Young to third. | 3 | 8 |
| Drew hit sacrifice fly to left, Young scored. | 3 | 9 |
| Williams grounded out to shortstop. | 3 | 9 |
| 4 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Miami - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Chris Martin pitching for New York | MIA | NYY |
| Ozuna struck out swinging. | 3 | 9 |
| Suzuki hit for Baker. | 3 | 9 |
| Suzuki reached on infield single to third. | 3 | 9 |
| Bour singled to shallow left, Suzuki to second. | 3 | 9 |
| Dietrich hit for D. Solano. | 3 | 9 |
| Dietrich grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Bour out at second, Suzuki to third. | 3 | 9 |
| Mathis singled to left center, Suzuki scored, Dietrich to second. | 4 | 9 |
| Gordon struck out swinging. | 4 | 9 |
| 1 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Miami Marlins | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| Gordon 2B | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 27 | .356 | .378 | .424 |
| Hechavarría SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 17 | .295 | .327 | .405 |
| Yelich LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 17 | .232 | .300 | .330 |
| Stanton RF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | .265 | .348 | .617 |
| Ozuna CF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 22 | .276 | .331 | .374 |
| Baker DH | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | .255 | .339 | .473 |
a-Suzuki PH
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .294 | .346 | .343 |
| Bour 1B | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | .276 | .356 | .448 |
| D. Solano 3B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | .151 | .182 | .226 |
b-Dietrich PH
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | .286 | .333 | .643 |
| Mathis C | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 11 | .174 | .200 | .217 |
| Totals | 35 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 149 | |||
| a-reached on infield single to third for J Baker in the 9th b-grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop for D Solano in the 9th | ||||||||||
| BATTING 3B: Gordon (3, Sabathia) HR: Stanton (25, 6th inning off Sabathia 0 on, 1 Out) RBI: Yelich (15), Mathis 2 (3), Stanton (63) SF: Mathis 2-out RBI: Mathis GIDP: D. Solano Marlins RISP: 1-7 (Yelich 0-1, Dietrich 0-1, D. Solano 0-1, Mathis 1-1, Hechavarría 0-2, Gordon 0-1) Team LOB: 6 | ||||||||||
Game Information
| Stadium | Yankee Stadium, New York, NY |
| Attendance | 38,239 (77% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 3:26 |
| Weather | 67 degrees, overcast |
| Wind | 6 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Lance Barrett, First Base - CB Bucknor, Second Base - Gabe Morales, Third Base - Dale Scott |
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