— Alex Rodriguez reached 50 home runs for the first time in five seasons, and promptly added to his total as the Yankees defeated Kansas City, 11-5.

A-Rod homered in consecutive at-bats against Royals rookie Brian Bannister (12-8) to set a single-season record for a third baseman. Mr. Rodriguez just missed homering in three straight at-bats, flying out to the center field wall in the sixth, and was hit by a pitch from rookie Luke Hochevar in the seventh before coming out for a pinch runner.

He became the first Yankees player to reach 50 homers in a season since Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle did it in 1961. A-Rod joined Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa as the only players in history to hit 50 homers in three different seasons.

Andy Pettitte (13-8) pitched into the seventh and Johnny Damon and Wilson Betemit also homered for New York, which has won four in a row and is a major league-best 37-19 since the All-Star break. The Yankees have dominated the Royals, going 8-1 this year and 18-3 since 2005.<

Meanwhile, in New York, Tom Glavine carried a perfect game into the sixth and allowed one run over seven-plus innings to lead the New York Mets past the slumping Houston Astros 3-1.

David Wright matched his career high with his 27th homer for the NL East-leading Mets, who have won seven of eight to improve to a season best 19 games above .500. Paul Lo Duca had an RBI double and Luis Castillo scored on a wild pitch.

Houston has lost six of its last seven.

Mr. Glavine (13-6) departed to a hearty ovation after allowing singles to Carlos Lee and Mark Loretta with no outs in the eighth. Aaron Heilman came in and allowed Ty Wigginton’s RBI single before striking out three straight to get out of the inning.

Billy Wagner pitched the ninth for his 31st save in 35 opportunities.

Woody Williams (8-14) gave up three runs and five hits in six innings.