A-Rod, Yankees aim for sweep of KC

Jul 26, 2007, 15:10 GMT

- The New York Yankees are on a serious roll, while Alex Rodriguez is on the verge of history. Tonight the All-Star third baseman aims for a historic home run as the Bronx Bombers attempt to complete a four-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals tonight at Kauffman Stadium.

Rodriguez belted the 499th home run of his career during Wednesday's 7-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals. The superstar slugger, who is one day shy of his 32nd birthday, is almost certain to become the youngest player to reach the coveted 500-homer plateau. Jimmie Foxx currently holds the mark at 32 years, 338 days.

The two-run eighth-inning blast was one of three Yankee home runs on the evening. Melky Cabrera hit a two-run shot in the second inning and finished with three RBI, while Hideki Matsui followed Rodriguez's homer with a solo blast during New York's four-run eighth.

Robinson Cano added three hits and two runs scored to help the Yankees to their sixth straight win and 13th triumph in their last 16 games. New York has closed within 6 1/2 games of rival Boston for first place in the American League East standings and 4 1/2 back of Cleveland, which holds the lead in the AL wild card race.

The Yanks also received a strong outing out of starting pitcher Mike Mussina (5-7), who limited Kansas City to a run and six hits over the first 5 2/3 innings.

Gil Meche (7-7) was tagged for five runs on nine hits over 7 1/3 innings for the Royals, who fell for the fourth time in five games. David DeJesus and Ross Gload each collected a pair of hits in defeat.

Kansas City hopes for a better mound performance tonight out of Jorge De La Rosa. The left-hander will have to improve on his last two starts, however, if he wants to slow down a Yankee offense that has been in high gear as of late.

De La Rosa was rocked for seven runs and seven hits in just 4 1/3 innings in a no decision at Detroit on Saturday. Six days earlier, he surrendered three runs and issued six walks before being lifted after only 3 1/3 frames in a loss at Cleveland. De La Rosa also served up a total of four home runs over those two appearances.

The Mexican southpaw has won his last two starts at home, however, and brings a 5-4 record with a 5.72 earned run average in 10 Kauffman Stadium outings this season into tonight's tilt.

De La Rosa has faced New York twice previously, one of which was a start, and is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in seven innings against the Yankees. That victory came at Kauffman Stadium last September, when the 26-year-old spun 5 2/3 shutout innings.

Incidentally, De La Rosa allowed Rodriguez's 400th career home run while a member of the Milwaukee Brewers on June 8, 2005.

The Yankees will send out the disappointing Kei Igawa for his first career start against the Royals. The Japanese rookie brings an unimpressive 6.67 ERA into tonight's contest but did pitch fairly well his last time out.

Against Tampa Bay on Saturday, Igawa worked five innings and yielded two runs on seven hits while recording six strikeouts in a no decision. He hasn't won in six starts, however, since defeating Boston with a superb relief job back on April 28. That time period included an extended stay in the minors so the 28-year-old can work on his mechanics.

New York has won 13 of its last 15 encounters with Kansas City and owns a 5-1 record at Kauffman Stadium over that span.

© 2007 The Sports Network