Headley hammers 100th career home run
Yankees 3B had been stuck on 99 for nearly a month; A-Rod follows to make it back-to-back shots
NEW YORK -- The words that came out of his mouth said that it didn't really mean anything, but the sly smile that, just for a brief moment, cracked Chase Headley's face suggested that maybe his 100th career home run Tuesday night did have some value.
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"I guess it's a milestone. Played for a while, and I was able to hit 100 home runs, but it didn't mean a whole lot to me. I'm glad that it's over," Headley said after the Yankees fell to the Phillies, 11-6, for their third consecutive loss. "I've been asked about it a few times, so I'm glad that I got it out of the way.
For almost exactly a month, Headley had been stuck at 99 career home runs. On Tuesday, in the second installment of a three-game series with the Phillies, the third baseman finally broke through and launched No. 100 into right-center field.
Headley's homer came on a 2-2 pitch to open the fifth inning -- Alex Rodriguez immediately followed with his 15th home run of the season in a back-to-back effort -- and was the catalyst of an inning that eventually saw the Yankees tie the game at 6 after trailing by three runs. It also snapped a streak of 105 at-bats without a homer for Headley, dating back to May 25.
Video: PHI@NYY: A-Rod goes back-to-back with Headley
Headley is now hitting .256 with nine doubles, seven home runs and 26 RBIs on the season.
"It's good to see him hit the ball out of the ballpark. I'm sure he's going to hit plenty more," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Hopefully he hits another 100 to 150 with us. It's a big home run, and it means something, and we need him to continue to swing the bat."