NEW YORK: Alex Rodriguez blasted the 661st home run of his career on Thursday to pass Willie Mays for fourth on the all-time list.

The milestone blow came in the third inning of the New York Yankees’ 4-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

“The reaction was incredible,” Rodriguez told reporters. “I’ve said all along the league, the Yankees, the fans — no one owes me anything. I’m so grateful to be playing baseball and grateful to everybody.”

Rodriguez, who had tied Mays on 660 last week, now trails only Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755) and Barry Bonds (762) in career home runs.

A-Rod’s climb to reach baseball’s greats has come amidst controversy and as he rounded the bases the scoreboard made just a brief acknowledgment of his feat. He was given a short curtain call by the home New York fans.

The 39-year-old was suspended for the whole of 2014 due to a doping violation.

Despite the criticism, Rodriguez has had the support of his team mates.

“I know there’s a lot of questions surrounding everything but 661 home runs is still a lot, it’s 650 more than I’ve got, I think,” said Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner.

“I see how hard Alex works every day, how much he loves to compete and I’m really happy for him.”

Royals 7, Indians 4: Eric Hosmer hit a three-run homer and Mike Moustakas went 3-for-4, walked and scored two runs as the Kansas City Royals beat the Cleveland Indians 7-4.

Hosmer homered in the first inning against right-hander Corey Kluber (0-5), who was yanked after giving up five runs, seven hits, two walks and a hit batter in 5 2/3 innings, with his ERA climbing to 5.04.

Carlos Santana homered in the top of the seventh for the Indians (10-17).

Kansas City moved to 18-10.

Cardinals 5, Cubs 1: John Lackey pitched a season-high 7 2/3 innings and struck out 10 batters to lead St. Louis to a 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Jason Heyward went 3-for-4 with three runs for Major League-leading St. Louis, who dropped the Cubs to 14-13.

Dodgers 14, Brewers 4: Yasmani Grandal hit two home runs and drove in a career-high eight runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers crushed the Milwaukee Brewers.

Dodgers (18-10) left fielder Alex Guerrero added his sixth home run of the season to down Milwaukee (9-20).

Tigers 4, White Sox 1: Victor Martinez had three hits and pitcher Kyle Lobstein allowed only five hits over 7 2/3 innings as the Detroit Tigers avoided being swept by the Chicago White Sox.

Martinez’s third hit — an eighth-inning single — provided the Tigers (18-11) with a two-run lead.

Chicago (10-15) were looking for their first series sweep over Detroit since 2008 and their first sweep of their AL Central rivals at home since 2006.

Rangers 5, Rays 4: An early five-run lead proved to be just enough as the Texas Rangers held off the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4.

Texas’ (12-16) four-run second inning, which included two bases-loaded walks, was the key.

Pirates 7, Reds 2: Slumping Andrew McCutchen had three hits and A.J. Burnett got his first win of the season at his sixth attempt as the Pittsburgh Pirates ended a five-game losing streak with a victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

McCutchen, who won the National League MVP award in 2013 and finished third in the voting last season, raised his batting average to .210.

Twins 6, Athletics 5: Eduardo Escobar drove in two runs and Minnesota’s bullpen worked four scoreless innings to lead the Twins over Oakland 6-5.

The Twins (16-13) won three of four games against the A’s and are now 12-5 at Target Field this season and three games above .500 for the first time since the end of the 2010 season.

Oakland (12-19) have lost four of seven on their current road trip.

Astros 3, Angels 2: The Houston Astros rallied with three runs in the ninth inning to upend the Los Angeles Angels.

Jake Marisnick and Preston Tucker each delivered RBIs for the Astros (19-10) against Angels closer Huston Street who suffered his second blown save in as many nights.

Mike Trout hit his eighth home run of the season for the Angels (13-16).

Diamondbacks 11, Padres 0: Arizona catcher Tuffy Gosewisch had three doubles and a career-high four RBIs, and Paul Goldschmidt and Mark Trumbo homered to lead the Diamondbacks to a victory over the San Diego Padres.

Pitcher Rubby De La Rosa tossed seven scoreless innings for the Diamondbacks (13-14) who won their third straight.

San Diego (15-15) lost for the third time in four games, all by shutout.

Marlins 7, Giants 2: Right-hander Dan Haren took a shutout into the seventh inning and helped his own cause with his first two hits and RBIs of the season, delivering the Miami Marlins a victory over the San Francisco Giants.

Second baseman Dee Gordon became the first major-leaguer to reach 50 hits this season, and Marcell Ozuna belted his first home run of the year, helping the Marlins (14-15) to their 11th win in 15 games.