"After missing the first two games of the Oakland series with a sprained thumb, Alex Rodriguez was back in the Yankees lineup yesterday. And even if his return was overshadowed by the record-breaking grand-slam barrage, his multi-hit game was an auspicious return in what became a 22-9 laugher.

Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with two walks and three runs scored in a game that saw Robinson Cano, Russell Martin and Curtis Granderson hit grand slams.

"The first day or two, it was all about overcoming the fear, 'Is something going to break? Is something going to hurt?' " Rodriguez said. "After my first at-bat I felt pretty good. I've never been involved in such a game, three grand slams, three different guys. That's why it's fun to come to the park every day. You never know what you're going to see. We may never see that again, for a long time.""