A-Rod Launches 655th Home Run, First Since 2013

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Alex Rodriguez has hit his first home run since serving a yearlong drug suspension -- and boy, does it feel good.

The three-time MVP connected Thursday night off Toronto Blue Jays rookie Daniel Norris, leading off the sixth inning by launching a high fastball deep into the left-field seats for his 655th career homer.

"I felt like I needed Google Maps or something to round the bases," Rodriguez said after the New York Yankees' 6-3 loss. "It's been a long, long time. It certainly felt good to get some cheers in front of the home fans and get us going a little bit. Any time you get the first one of the column -- win, hit, RBI -- all those things are important."

Rodriguez, moved up to second in New York's lineup against a lefty, tossed his bat aside and rounded the bases without any fanfare, though the drive invigorated a small crowd on a cold night at Yankee Stadium.

"Obviously, we want him to drive the ball," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said, according to MLB.com. "That's a good sign for us. I thought he hit one yesterday that might have been a home run if not for the wind. That's a good sign for us. We need that production from him."

It was A-Rod's first home run since Sept. 20, 2013, against San Francisco reliever George Kontos. The slugger ranks fifth on the career list, five behind Willie Mays.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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