Rodriguez is hurt in Yankees’ victory

BALTIMORE -- A much-needed win for the New York Yankees was tarnished by the loss of Alex Rodriguez, who can only hope a leg injury won’t force him out of the starting lineup for the first time this season.

Rodriguez hit a run-scoring double and scored before leaving in the sixth inning, and the Yankees ended a three-game losing streak by beating the Baltimore Orioles, 7-1, on a rainy Sunday. Andy Pettitte pitched seven scoreless innings, Johnny Damon homered and Derek Jeter had a three-run double as the Yankees salvaged the finale of a three-game series.

Rodriguez strained his right quadriceps while running out a grounder. He has an extra day to recover because the Yankees are off today. Rodriguez reached first on a fielder’s choice and left after one pitch, thanks in part to some heads-up work by first base coach Tony Pena.

“I felt it a little bit in my swing, then probably four or five steps out of the box, I felt a little twinge,” Rodriguez said. “I give Tony a lot of credit. He knew that if I had to go first to third on a double that perhaps I could have hurt it very seriously.”