Rodriguez silences Ballpark

ARLINGTON - Alex Rodriguez wanted to hear silence, that uncomfortable hush that blankets a stadium when the home fans sense doom. Inside the Ballpark, where he spent three years of his career and hit 156 of his 613 regular-season home runs, Rodriguez listened as the stadium went quiet in the eighth inning Friday.

He had just smacked a two-run single that hurdled Michael Young's outstretched glove and rolled into left field, allowing Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher to score.

The Rangers' once-robust lead had been cut to one run. It was only a matter of time before the Yankees would overtake Texas, 6-5, and rip out the hearts of the Claws-and-Antlers crowd watching in horror.

Rodriguez stood on first, satisfied he came through with the bases loaded and provided one of the initial incisions.

"That's what he does," noted Yankees pitcher C.C. Sabathia.

But earlier in the night, it appeared that the former Ranger would wilt in front of the fans who once cheered him but now greeted the slugger with hearty boos. He struck out in his first two plate appearances, waving at C.J. Wilson's pitches at the end of each. Later in the game, he tapped a ball in front of the plate that Wilson scooped up and turned into an easy out. All the while, the crowd roared with joy.

But as it did for the Yankees, the night changed for Rodriguez in a sudden and unforeseen way. Infused with energy that coursed through the Yankees' dugout during the rally, Rodriguez made his mark.

"From one at-bat to one pitch, momentum can change," Rodriguez said. "You're looking for one or two moments to make an impact on the game."

After Rangers manager Ron Washington lifted Darren Oliver, Rodriguez waited for Darren O'Day to jog in from the bullpen and complete his warm-up tosses. The bases were loaded - "a hitter's dream," Rodriguez said - and he pounced on the first pitch, an 86 mph fastball.

Young couldn't snare the sharp grounder, and as it zipped past him the crowd became quiet, aware that the depressing denouement was only minutes away. Meanwhile, Rodriguez listened with delight, enjoying the sound of silence.