By Nina Mandell
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Alex Rodriguez is hoping to hit his 600th career home run in Cleveland Wednesday night as the Yankees continue their four-game series against the Indians.
A-Rod, who turned 35 Tuesday, has been in a hitting slump since hitting his 599th career home run last Thursday.
Rodriguez has goine 0-for-8 in the series against the Indians, including 0-for-4 against rookie pitcher Josh Tomlin in the Yankees' 4-1 loss against the Indians Tuesday night.
The Yankees slugger had a chance to hit the milestone with a game-saver against Chris Perez in the ninth inning on Tuesday, but grounded out instead.
“That would have been a fantastic present, but it didn’t work out,” Rodriguez told reporters after the disappointing loss. “I’ve had some good birthdays. Today wasn’t the greatest.”
Rodriguez is hoping for better luck Wednesday against Cleveland's Fausto Carmona, who is 10-7 with a 3.5 ERA on the season, and 6-2 in the past eight outings. The All-Star pitcher takes the mound an impressive performance in his last start when he struck out seven and walked one with seven strikeouts and only one walk in five innings of a 3-1 win over Tampa Bay on Friday.
Carmona has struggled against New York, with a 1-3 record and 5.38 ERA in nine career appearances, including six starts.
Yankee fans have been crowding the Indians’ stadium waiting for Rodriguez to hit the milestone, MLB.com reported.
“There are Yankee fans everywhere,” Indians manager Manny Acta told MLB.com. “They are obviously the franchise that has won the most. You have to live with it.”
