Alex Rodriguez's pursuit of milestone 600th home run comes to Tropicana Field

ST. PETERSBURG — Rays manager Joe Maddon said there's a reason why Alex Rodriguez's quest for 600 home runs, which comes to Tropicana Field tonight, isn't generating the typical hype and hoopla that accompanies such a milestone.

And it's not because 600 — which only six players have reached — isn't still a big number. Instead, it's Rodriguez's involvement with performance-enhancing drugs that seems to have dulled the accomplishment.

"Because of all the subplots involved, I think that's why you're not getting as much of a buildup," Maddon said. "I don't think that it's worn off. I think when (the Twins') Jim Thome arrives nearer that point, you're going to see the same kind of previous buildup, I believe, as an example. I think based on the revelations of the last couple years, I think it probably detracts from it a bit."

The Yankee third baseman's pursuit will be a major story line as the teams with the majors' best records meet for three soldout games and the AL East lead in the balance. The teams, which have 60-plus games left, meet seven more times during an 11-day span in September.

"It's more of a challenge for him than it is for us," Rays starter Wade Davis said of A-Rod. "It's a lot easier to get somebody out than for somebody to hit a home run."

Actually, for Davis it hasn't been: In eight at-bats, Rodriguez has four hits, including two homers.