Alex Rodriguez hit career home run No. 501 and rookie Phil Hughes dominated Cleveland for six innings as the New York Yankees began a challenging stretch of games with a 6-1 win over the Indians on Friday night. Rodriguez, who became the youngest player to reach the 500-homer plateau last week, connected for his 37th homer in the second inning off Fausto Carmona. The shot to straightaway center set the tone for the Yankees, who have been beating up on some of the AL's weaker teams lately.