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Rodriguez homers again in Yankees' win

Apr 11, 2007 - 7:01 AM MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Alex Rodriguez continued his torrid start and the New York Yankees' starting pitching continued to come around.

Rodriguez homered and Andy Pettitte pitched six shutout innings as the Yankees cruised to a 10-1 win over the Minnesota Twins.

Rodriguez hit a two-run shot in the first inning for his sixth homer of the season and fourth straight game with a blast. The All-Star third baseman pushed his league-leading RBI total to 15.

"I'm just trying to see the ball and hit it hard," Rodriguez said. "I'm not trying to do too much."

His home run gave him six in seven games, a feat only accomplished by nine other players in league history and just one shy of Mike Schmidt, who set the Major League record with seven home runs in his first seven games in 1976.

"Alex has been swinging the bat as well as I've ever seen him," shortstop Derek Jeter said. "I asked him if there was something wrong with him when he flew out. It's one of those things where you hope you can ride it."

"I'd probably be asking my catcher to put four fingers up and go after the next guy," Pettitte said about Rodriguez. "He's absolutely unbelievable right now. He's locked in and focused. He's not giving any at-bats away. It's awesome to see."

Pettitte (1-0) became the second New York pitcher in as many days to turn in a strong start, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out three in six frames.

The veteran lefthander missed the last two weeks of spring training with back spasms and struggled through his first start, surrendering four runs - two earned - and six hits in four innings against Tampa Bay.

"He knows he still has a little ways to go with the physical aspect," New York manager Joe Torre said. "Next time we expect him to be better."

"That two weeks in spring training cost me a little more than I thought," Pettitte said. "My legs aren't under me quite like they should be. I'm just looking forward to trying to get stronger and physically getting my legs and shoulder in the shape they need to be in."

The Yankees did not have a starting pitcher last beyond the fifth inning in any of the first five games of the season, but have had no trouble holding down the Twins' offense. Minnesota has managed just two runs in 13 innings off New York starters Carl Pavano and Pettitte in the first two games of the series.

"Even when you're swinging your best sometimes a guy like Pettitte is going to shut you down," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "But we know we're not swinging the best we can swing as a unit."

Twins starter Boof Bonser (0-1) lasted just 4 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs - six earned - and six hits. Combined with Monday's starter Sidney Ponson, Minnesota starters have combined to allow 15 runs -- 14 earned -- in 10 innings pitched.

Johnny Damon hit his first homer of the season, a three-run blast in the fifth inning off Bonser. Melky Cabrera had three hits and Derek Jeter scored three runs for the Yankees, who clinched a winning series at the Metrodome for the first time since 2003.