By Nina Mandell
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Alex Rodriguez's continues his quest for his 600th home run as the Yankees begin a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays in Florida on Friday.
Rodriguez's has been stuck on 599 career home runs since July 22 and is coming off a 3-for-17 stretch against he Cleveland Indians. A-Rod went 1-for-3 with three RBIs in the Yankees 11-4 win over the Indians on Thursday.
Rodriguez has hit 43 home runs against the second-place Rays in his career, but he said he's not dwelling on his personal milestone.
“I think the thing to remember is that when I hit this, nothing’s going to change,” Rodriguez told reporters Thursday. “We're in the middle of a pennant race, and we're just trying to play good baseball."
Only six other players have ever hit 600 home runs in their career. The most recent player to do it was A-Rod's former Seattle Mariners teammate Ken Griffey Jr., who retired this year after hitting 630 career homers.
Former Giants slugger Barry Bonds hold the record for career home runs with 762.
Rodriguez will try to notch No. 600 against Rays righty Wade Davis (8-9, 4.32 ERA.) A-Rod is 4-for-8 with two home runs in his career against Tampa Bay right hander. Davis has won three straight decisions and has a 3.16 ERA in July.
Phil Hughes (12-3, 4.04 ERA) will be on the mound for the Yankees. Hughes is 2-1 with a 4.20 ERA against Tampa Bay in seven career appearances, including two starts.
