KANSAS CITY (AP) — Alex Rodriguez hit three home runs in a game for the fourth time in his career, putting on a late power show that led New York past Kansas City, 8-3.

Rodriguez drove in five runs, taking over the major league RBIs lead with 97. He picked on three different pitchers for his deep drives.

After striking out on three pitches from Sean O'Sullivan in his previous at-bat, Rodriguez led off the sixth inning with a 412-foot shot against the Royals starter.

Rodriguez added a two-run drive off Kanekoa Texeira in the seventh that carried 419 feet and put the Yankees on top 6-3.

A-Rod connected in the ninth against Greg Holland for the most impressive drive, a 439-foot shot that landed in the water fountains in left field.

Rodriguez has 21 home runs this season and 604 lifetime. It was the 56th multihomer game of his 16-year career.

New York's Phil Hughes (14-5) went 5 1-3 innings for the victory.

Several Yankees hit fly balls near the warning track against O'Sullivan (1-4) before they finally broke through in the sixth with three long shots.