Bronx, NY (My Sportsbook) - Phil Hughes was decent in his first start since late April, despite a no-decision, and Alex Rodriguez made some Yankee history of his own, as New York edged the Chicago White Sox, 5-1, in the third installment of a four-game set from Yankee Stadium.

Hughes, who hadn't pitched in the big leagues since a home loss to Detroit on April 29 that saw him leave with a stress fracture in his ribs, was touched for just a run on four hits over four frames. Brian Bruney (3-0) took the win with a perfect seventh inning of relief.

Rodriguez, with a solo homer in the eighth, became the only player to have at least 35 homers and 100 RBI in 12 seasons, passing Babe Ruth. Johnny Damon had a two-run homer for the Yankees, who have won four of their last five games. Xavier Nady also had an RBI in the win while Robinson Cano went 3-for-3.

"It felt good to finally put the ball in play tonight," said Rodriguez. "It's consistency, I'd like to thank the good Lord for giving me the health."

Clayton Richard (2-5) took the loss after giving up two runs on five hits through 6 2/3 innings.

Jermaine Dye drove in the lone run for Chicago, which has dropped three of six and sit 2 1/2 games ahead of the Twins for the AL Central lead. Minnesota lost 6-4 to Cleveland on Wednesday. Orlando Cabrera had two doubles and scored for the ChiSox.

After six innings of dormant offense, the Yankees took a 2-1 lead in the seventh inning. With one gone, Rodriguez drew a walk and moved to second as Jason Giambi grounded out. Nady then drove an RBI single to center and moved to third as Cano followed with a double, which brought Mike MacDougal on in relief.

Nady then scampered home as MacDougal unleashed a wild pitch. Ivan Rodriguez grounded out to end the threat, though the damage had been done as it was 2-1 in favor of NY.

Melky Cabrera led off the eighth with a single back up the middle off Scott Linebrink before Damon followed with a two-run homer into the bleachers in right-center field. Two batters later, Alex Rodriguez got in on the action with his historic solo blast to right field, making it a 5-1 game.

Edwar Ramirez came in for the ninth and sat the Sox down in order to close the door.

"We had a one-run lead, but to win we have to score more than one run," said Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen.

The White Sox solved Hughes in the third inning to grab a 1-0 lead. Cabrera led off with a double, moved to third on Dewayne Wise's sacrifice bunt and touched home plate as Dye grounded out.

Game Notes

It was Derek Jeter's 1,000th game at Yankee Stadium...After recovering from the injury, Hughes spent time at Triple-A Scranton, where he went 1-0 with a 5.90 ERA in six appearances. However, he led the Scranton team to an International League title on Friday with 12 strikeouts in five innings...Richard lost his third straight start Wednesday...New York took two of three from the White Sox earlier in the year in the Windy City. The Yankees have also won seven of their last nine at home in this series.