NEW YORK - Alex Rodriguez hit his 659th home run Sunday night, putting him one behind Willie Mays for fourth place on the career list.
The three-time MVP connected off New York Mets left-hander Jonathon Niese in the first inning of the Subway Series finale at Yankee Stadium, a 6-4 win for the Yankees. Rodriguez drove a 2-2 curve to right-center, with the ball bouncing off the top of the fence for a solo shot.
It was the fifth homer of the season for A-Rod, who sat out last year while serving a drug suspension.
Rodriguez's first chance to match Mays came in the second inning, when the Yankees slugger doubled to left field. He was thrown out trying to advance to third after an error by Mets left fielder Michael Cuddyer.
Rodriguez reached on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the fifth and lined out in the bottom of the seventh.