Yankees honor Alex Rodriguez for reaching 3,000 career hits

For all the buildup, speculation and drama, A-Rod Day was rather subdued.

There were no white chairs, no plaques and no thunderous ovations. No retired legends graced the field, and only a small contingent of fans arrived early to show their support.

The Yankees nonetheless honored Alex Rodriguez and his 3,000-hit milestone Sunday with a 10-minute pregame ceremony before the series finale against the Blue Jays — one that lacked the typical excitement of a Stadium celebration.

The tribute started with a video documenting some of the most memorable hits of A-Rod’s career, including his 3,000th, which came on an opposite-field home run against the Tigers on June 19. Rodriguez is the 29th player in major league history to amass at least 3,000 hits in a career.

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After the video, A-Rod walked to home plate from the dugout with his daughters, Natasha and Ella. Rodriguez’s mother, Lourdes Navarro, brother Joe Dunand and sister Suzy Dunand also joined him on the field.

ANDREW SAVULICH/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner (r.) presents a gift of 3,000-hit diamond rings to Alex Rodriguez.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the Steinbrenners. First class all the way,” said Rodriguez, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored a run with a headfirst slide into home. “It’s rare for me that I get to celebrate a day with my mother and my two daughters, manager, teammates, and obviously the fans of New York.”

With the family on the field, the team played a message from former Yankees and Mariners manager Lou Piniella on the Jumbotron.

“Alex, congratulations on your 3,000th hit,” Piniella said. “It’s a great milestone and a tremendous accomplishment, and Anita and I are so proud. As you know, we consider you part of our family. Continue to do well and help the Yankees win a pennant.”

Later, Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost presented Rodriguez with a handcrafted vase commemorating the achievement. Managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner, meanwhile, gifted A-Rod with a 14-karat 3,000-hit diamond ring with similar ring-top pendants for Natasha and Ella.

Before the game, each player had a commemorative wine bottle waiting at his locker.

TIL TUESDAY

Right-hander Adam Warren is tentatively scheduled to start Tuesday’s game in Tampa as long as he isn’t forced to pitch in relief Monday.

Warren’s last start came on June 25. He threw 47 pitches in 2.2 innings out of the bullpen in Wednesday’s loss to the Orioles.

“I feel like I’ll be able to adjust pretty easily,” Warren said. “Just looking forward to it and excited to get back out there as a starter.”

TULO COULD RETURN

ANDREW SAVULICH/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Alex Rodriguez takes the field with daughters Ella and Natasha.

There is a “chance” Troy Tulowitzki returns to the Blue Jays this season, Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos said Sunday.

The team is “cautiously optimistic” that Tulowitzki, who suffered a small crack in his shoulder blade colliding with center fielder Kevin Pillar in a win over the Yankees on Saturday, could be back in game action in two to three weeks.

However, Anthopoulos expects Tulowitzki to have some marginal discomfort in the shoulder if his shortstop does return in that near future.

“He could be back for October,” Anthopoulos said. “Hopefully we’re playing at that time.” 

A-Rod, Heathcott lead ninth-inning rally; Yankees beat Rays, 4-1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez had a tying, two-out RBI double in the ninth and Slade Heathcott followed with a three-run homer, leading the New York Yankees to a 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in American League Baseball play Monday night.

The victory moved the Yankees within three games of AL East-leading Toronto.

Erasmo Ramirez held the Yankees hitless until Carlos Beltran led off the eighth with a hotshot that took a short-hop off first baseman Richie Shaffer and went into right field.

In the bottom half Tampa Bay snapped a scoreless tie, ending its 21-inning run drought on Logan Forsythe's RBI double.

The Yankees, though, rallied in the ninth. Down to their last out, Brett Gardner was walked by Brad Boxberger (4-10) on four pitches and stole second. Then Rodriguez tied Craig Biggio for 21{+s}t place all-time with his 3,060th hit.

Heathcott homered after Brian McCann was intentionally walked, setting off a raucous celebration in the New York dugout.

Caleb Cotham (1-0) got the final out in the eighth for his first big league win before Andrew Miller pitched the ninth to pick up his 33rd save.

Ramirez allowed just the one hit, walked two and had six strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings.

CC Sabathia had a strong start for the Yankees, giving up three hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. He worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the second.

The Yankees had two baserunners through the seventh. Rodriguez walked with two outs in the fourth and Brett Gardner drew another walk to start the seventh.

Gardner was doubled off second after Mikie Mahtook made a leaping catch into the right-field wall on Brian McCann's drive.

•TRAINER'S ROOM

Yankees: Manager Joe Girardi said CF Jacoby Ellsbury, in a 1 for 29 slide, is physically fine. "He feels pretty good," Girardi said.

Rays: Reliever Jake McGee (left knee) threw his third bullpen and will need at least one more before getting in a simulated game. "We'll see how the knee bounces back tomorrow," he said.

•UP NEXT

Yankees: Girardi said RHP Adam Warren (6-6, 3.29) will be able to throw around 65 pitches in a spot start Tuesday night.

Rays: RHP Jake Odorizzi (7-8, 3.21 ERA), Tuesday night's starter, has the second-lowest run support in the AL.

The Associated Press