Alex Rodriguez hits first home run since return
Alex Rodriguez gestures after hitting a solo home run in the second inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers. (Aug. 11, 2013) Credit: AP
Alex Rodriguez still has some of his old bat speed.
The embattled Yankees third baseman homered on the second pitch he saw off Tigers starter Justin Verlander, slamming a 92 mph fastball to left field. The solo shot led off the bottom of the second inning and tied the score at 1-1.
It was the first home run Rodriguez hit since returning to the Yankees on Monday in Chicago following offseason hip surgery and a looming suspension for involvement with performance-enhancing drugs that Rodriguez is appealing.
The home run was the 648th of Rodriguez’s career, putting him 12 behind Willie Mays for fourth-place on the all-time list.
Rodriguez hit an RBI single in his second at-bat against Verlander, moving him past Stan Musial for sole possession of fifth place on the all-time RBI list with 1,952. The RBI he earned off his solo shot tied him with Musial briefly.
Follow the rest of the game here.
Here's video of the home run:
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