MLB: N.Y. Yankees 5, Chicago White Sox 1

NEW YORK, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Alex Rodriguez removed Babe Ruth from one corner of the record book Wednesday in highlighting the New York Yankees' 5-1 win over the Chicago White Sox.

Rodriguez finished off a late New York outburst with a solo homer in the eighth, making him the first player in major league history to record at least 35 home runs and 100 RBI in 12 seasons. Rodriguez and Ruth had been the only players to achieve that feat 11 times.

The White Sox, who began the night with a 2 1/2-game lead over Minnesota in the American League Central, took a 1-0 lead into the seventh inning.

Starter Clayton Richard (2-5) was still on the mound in the seventh when Rodriguez drew a one-out walk, moved to second on a groundout by Jason Giambi and scored the tying run on a single by Xavier Nady.

Nady moved to third on a double by Robinson Cano and scored on a wild pitch by reliever Mike MacDougal.

Johnny Damon added a two-run homer in the eighth and Rodriguez followed two outs later with his milestone blast to right.

The win went to Brian Bruney (3-0), who worked a perfect seventh inning in relief. Phil Hughes, in his first start for New York since suffering a stress fracture in his ribs April 29, allowed a run on four hits over four innings.