MINNEAPOLIS (AP)
Alex Rodriguez gave himself an early 40th birthday present.
Three of them, actually.
Rodriguez hit three home runs in a game for the fifth time in his career and keyed a ninth-inning rally against All-Star closer
Glen Perkins, sending the
New York Yankees over the
Minnesota Twins 8-5 Saturday night.
''Some people say that life starts at 40. I'll sign up for that right now,'' said A-Rod, who hits the mark Monday.
The Yankees trailed 5-0 early. Rodriguez connected on Perkins' first pitch for a tying homer, and John Ryan Murphy later launched a three-run shot.
''Got to be one of my best feelings since I've been in the major leagues,'' Murphy said. ''There's no greater feeling than knowing you just won the game for your team.''
Rodriguez bear-hugged Murphy in the dugout and picked him up. By then, the slugger had already showed his strength.
Rodriguez hit 452-foot solo homer in the fourth and a 422-foot drive that made it 5-3 in the seventh. His 424-foot homer in the ninth cleared the center field wall.
He clapped as he trotted around first base after each homer while fans at sold-out Target Field booed. The last time Rodriguez hit three home runs in a game was Aug. 14, 2010, at Kansas City. He didn't play last season while sitting out a drug suspension.
''I'm healthy, I'm happy, I'm appreciating everything the game has to offer,'' he said.
Rodriguez has 23 homers this season and 677 in his career. He is now 6 for 10 lifetime against Perkins with two home runs.
With one out and runners on first and third, Murphy hit a 2-2 pitch from Perkins into the flower bed over the right-center field wall.
Perkins (0-2) didn't blow a save chance before the All-Star break, but is 1 for 3 since. He had allowed just six runs all season before the Yankees tagged him for four.
''I saved however many to start the season and I said I'm going to blow games. I'm not going to be able to go out there and hit every spot like I have,'' Perkins said. ''It's magnified. But I miss spots, everybody misses spots and I'll learn from that.''
Adam Warren (6-5) pitched 2 1-3 innings in relief of
CC Sabathia.
Andrew Miller worked the ninth for his 23rd save.
''Maybe our best win of the year,'' Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.
Girardi's decision to move Rodriguez to DH has helped rejuvenate the star.
''He's been a guy that's been productive all year,'' Girardi said. ''He's been impressive.''