The New York Yankees are trying to keep their focus despite the drama surrounding third basemen Alex Rodriguez and will look to delight their home crowd with a win Tuesday at 1:05 p.m. ET when the Toronto Blue Jays come to visit.
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Via ESPN:
The 38-year-old Rodriguez has given the Yankees (64-59) a huge left since coming off the disabled list Aug. 5, going 12 for 32 (.375) with two homers and six RBIs during the club's 6-2 run.
Rodriguez came up especially big in Sunday's 9-6 win at Boston. After getting hit by a Ryan Dempster fastball in the second inning, Rodriguez responded with his 649th career homer in the sixth to spark a four-run rally.
"Whether you like me or hate me, what's wrong is wrong. That was unprofessional and silly," he said of getting plunked. "Today kind of brought us together."
Besides his suspension, Rodriguez is at odds with Yankees management over the more than $80 million he is owned through 2017. Rodriguez's lawyer also declined Major League Baseball's challenge to make public evidence that led to the slugger's suspension.
"I'm not sure how I would feel if I was on a different team, but Alex is my teammate and obviously I'm glad to have him back in the room," Brett Gardner told MLB's official website. "We know that we're at a point in the season where we've got to play every game like it's our last."
The Yankees try to take advantage of playing the Blue Jays (57-67) in New York, where they've won 18 of 20, including nine straight by a 47-25 margin. They've also won 19 of 25 in the series overall.
Toronto dropped two of three at Tampa Bay over the weekend, falling 2-1 in 10 innings on Sunday. Edwin Encarnacion hit his team-leading 31st homer, but the Blue Jays suffered their seventh walkoff loss and eighth in extras.
"If you're going to play in prime time, you've got to win those games," manager John Gibbons said.
