(Sports Network) - Alex Rodriguez continues his quest to become the youngest player to 600 home runs this afternoon when the New York Yankees resume their four-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium.
On Saturday, Rodriguez is hoping history repeats itself, as he will face the pitcher who served up his 500th home run nearly three years ago in Kyle Davies.
"To me, it's another ballgame. I want to continue the path I've been on," Davies said. "If he hits 600, so be it. As long as we win the game."
Rodriguez should easily become the youngest player to reach the milestone. Babe Ruth hit his 600th at age 36, while Rodriguez does not turn 35 until July 27.
Ruth may have reached the milestone quicker, hitting No. 600 in his 6,921st at-bat, but Rodriguez's pace (8,646 at-bats entering play Saturday) trails only that of Barry Bonds (8,212) and eclipses Willie Mays (9,514) and Henry Aaron (10,009).
Davies, meanwhile, is looking for his first win since defeating Boston back on May 28. He has gone 0-3 in his last eight outings.
The last time the Georgia native was on the hill he allowed three runs on 10 hits in seven innings of work against Toronto. Kansas City eventually defeated the Blue Jays in that contest, 5-4, but Davies did not factor in the decision.
This will be the third career start for Davies against the Yankees and even though the veteran hurler is 1-0 in his previous two starts, he still possesses a lackluster 5.59 earned run average against the Bronx Bombers.
Last night, Robinson Cano went 2-for-4 with a three-run double in the first inning, as the New York Yankees roughed up the Kansas City Royals, 7-1, in the second installment of a four-game series. Brett Gardner added two hits and two RBI for the Yankees, who have won three in a row.
Rodriguez finished 2-for-4. While Rodriguez did not homer, there was a milestone, as Jorge Posada recorded the 1,000th RBI of his career.
A.J. Burnett (8-8) pitched five shutout innings before a lengthy rain delay forced both teams to change pitchers. Chad Gaudin allowed a run in three relief innings after the game resumed.
Royals starter Brian Bannister (7-9) gave up four runs on six hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings and took the loss, Kansas City's ninth in its last 11 games.
Bannister entered the game with a 15.07 ERA in four career starts against the Yankees, and continued to struggle in the first inning.
The Yankees will turn to Sergio Mitre, who will be activated from the disabled list to start in place of the injured Andy Pettitte.
Mitre landed on the DL back on June 5th when he strained his oblique, but before suffering the injury the right-hander pulled double duty for the Yankees, working as a reliever and a starter. However, his last start came way back on May 16th.
Mitre has tossed just 11 1/3 innings in front of a home crowd this season and in that time he has surrendered four runs on seven hits, while walking four batters and striking out five.
Against the Royals in his career the California native has made just two appearance, but neither went well and in seven total innings against KC, the veteran hurler has surrendered six runs on 13 hits.
Thursday's victory improved the Yankees to 16-4 against the Royals at home since the start of the 2006 season. New York has won 27 of the 36 meetings between the clubs over that time period.