Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Phil Hughes was decent in his first start since late April, despite a no-decision, and Alex Rodriguez made some Yankee history of his own, as New York edged the Chicago White Sox, 5-1, in the third installment of a four-game set from Yankee Stadium.

Hughes, who hadn't pitched in the big leagues since a home loss to Detroit on April 29 that saw him leave with a stress fracture in his ribs, was touched for just a run on four hits over four frames. Brian Bruney (3-0) took the win with a perfect seventh inning of relief.

Rodriguez, with a solo homer in the eighth, became the only player to have at least 35 homers and 100 RBI in 12 seasons, passing Babe Ruth. Johnny Damon had a two-run homer for the Yankees, who have won four of their last five games. Xavier Nady also had an RBI in the win while Robinson Cano went 3-for-3.

"It felt good to finally put the ball in play tonight," said Rodriguez. "It's consistency, I'd like to thank the good Lord for giving me the health."

Clayton Richard (2-5) took the loss after giving up two runs on five hits through 6 2/3 innings.

Jermaine Dye drove in the lone run for Chicago, which has dropped three of six and sit 2 1/2 games ahead of the Twins for the AL Central lead. Minnesota lost 6-4 to Cleveland on Wednesday. Orlando Cabrera had two doubles and scored for the ChiSox.

After six innings of dormant offense, the Yankees took a 2-1 lead in the seventh inning. With one gone, Rodriguez drew a walk and moved to second as Jason Giambi grounded out. Nady then drove an RBI single to center and moved to third as Cano followed with a double, which brought Mike MacDougal on in relief.

Nady then scampered home as MacDougal unleashed a wild pitch. Ivan Rodriguez grounded out to end the threat, though the damage had been done as it was 2-1 in favor of NY.

Melky Cabrera led off the eighth with a single back up the middle off Scott Linebrink before Damon followed with a two-run homer into the bleachers in right-center field. Two batters later, Alex Rodriguez got in on the action with his historic solo blast to right field, making it a 5-1 game.

Edwar Ramirez came in for the ninth and sat the Sox down in order to close the door.

"We had a one-run lead, but to win we have to score more than one run," said Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen.

The White Sox solved Hughes in the third inning to grab a 1-0 lead. Cabrera led off with a double, moved to third on Dewayne Wise's sacrifice bunt and touched home plate as Dye grounded out.