NEW YORK, April 18 (UPI) -- Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run homer Wednesday to help the New York Yankees blast Cleveland 9-2.
The sixth-inning home run, which was immediately followed by a Jason Giambi homer, gave Rodriguez a major league-high nine in the first month.
The Yankees broke the game open by scoring five times in the third.
New York's Bobby Abreu hit a sacrifice fly and an RBI single, while Josh Phelps had two hits and one RBI, and Derek Jeter had two runs and three hits. Rodriguez and Giambi both scored twice for the Yankees, who have won three of their last four games.
Winner Kei Igawa (1-0) gave up two earned runs and five hits in six innings.
Travis Hafner and Jason Michaels hit RBI singles for the Indians. Michaels had three of the five hits for the Indians, who have split their last four games.
Loser Jeremy Sowers (0-1) gave up six earned runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings.
