A-Rod hits three bombs in game for first time in more than five years as Yanks bash Royals 8-3

Fueled by five home runs — including three from Alex Rodriguez, marking the first time he’s had a three home run-game since April 26, 2005, against the Angels — the Yankees beat the Royals 8-3 last night.

Phil Hughes had a solid outing, holding the Royals to three runs over six innings, though surprisingly recording no strikeouts for the first time all season. Sean O’Sullivan kept the Yankees at bay until the 6th, when A-Rod launched his first home run. Two batters later Jorge Posada connected for a solo shot and Curtis Granderson then went back-to-back for his 11th bomb of the year.

The Yankee bullpen continued its outstanding work of late — betcha didn’t know the Yankee ‘pen leads the AL in ERA over the last 30 days, with a 2.27 mark, and is second in FIP at 3.52 — and every Yankee starter had at least one hit, including two apiece from Mark Teixeira and Brett Gardner. Eight runs and 14 hits? Now that’s more like it.

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