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Alex Rodriguez keys outburst, New York Yankees beat Atlanta Braves, 11-7ATLANTA -- Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez took over Thursday night's 11-7 victory against the Braves, using the game to demonstrate that despite his struggles to bounce back from hip surgery, he remains a force.Dogged by questions about a recent slump and the security of his spot as the cleanup hitter, Rodriguez tied Reggie Jackson for 11th place on the all-time home run list with 563. The homer snapped a drought of 69 road at-bats with a home run, his longest since 1997.Rodriguez drove in four runs, the first on a homer to straightaway center field at spacious Turner Field. He finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs.Just the facts:- Aided partly by the Braves' three errors, the Yankees continued to bust out of their team-wide slump. The Yankees' 11 runs and 16 hits were the most since scoring 15 runs on 17 hits in a June 14 shutout of the Mets.- Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon combined to reach base in 11 of their 12 plate appearances. The duo teamed up for seven hits and scored five runs.- Yankees starter Andy Pettitte endured his shortest outing of the season. He lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing six runs (three earned) on seven hits. Brett Gardner dropped what would have been the second out of the fourth inning, and Pettitte couldn't get through the frame, even though he started it with an 8-1 lead.The big picture:- Outfielder Xavier Nady may be headed for Tommy John surgery that will end his season, and likely his tenure with the Yankees. Nady, the starting right fielder out of spring training, pulled himself out of a minor league rehab game on Thursday night after injuring his right elbow on a throw from the outfield. Nady, 32, will likely undergo tests on Friday.- The Yankees victory, combined with a Red Sox loss, brought the Yankees within four games of the American League East lead.- Closer Mariano Rivera moved within one save of No. 500 for his career.From the clubhouse:"Obviously, big picture, that's quite an honor to tie Reggie. I'm sure Mr. October will have something to say about that," - Rodriguez, on tying the Yankees legend."It's the thing you try and avoid. It could be the worst-case scenario.... Obviously, it's just not a good sign." - Cashman on Nady"He was locked in tonight. It was the Alex of old." - Yankees manager Joe Girardi, on Rodriguez.
