TORONTO — On the day Alex Rodriguez passed Mickey Mantle on the major league home run list, the New York Yankees were left mourning Bobby Murcer — the former star who replaced Mantle in the lineup long ago.

Rodriguez's 537th homer moved him into 13th place, and Derek Jeter hit No. 200 of his career to help the Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 9-4, yesterday.

After the game, the Yankees learned of Murcer's death due to complications from brain cancer, and players spoke fondly of a man who spent nearly four decades with the team as a player, executive and beloved broadcaster.

"It's just a reminder for all of us who are in the game, the media, and a fan of baseball just how trivial the game can be for one day," Rodriguez said. "When you look at a guy like Bobby, it makes time stop a little bit."

Murcer, who was 62, joined the Yankees in 1965 as an infielder but was soon playing in center field, Mantle's old spot. He also took over Mantle's locker.

Rodriguez was struck by the links between Mantle and Murcer, including the fact that both were from Oklahoma.

"There's really no random events," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez, Jeter and Brett Gardner each had three RBIs as the Yankees rebounded after being blanked 5-0 Friday night by Roy Halladay's two-hitter. New York is 5-1 following a shutout, outscoring opponents 36-16 in those games.

Rodriguez passed Mantle with a leadoff homer in the fourth, driving a 3-2 pitch from left-hander Brian Tallet off the left-field foul pole for his 19th of the season.

It was Rodriguez's 192nd home run with the Yankees, tying Tino Martinez for 15th place on the franchise list.

Rodriguez has already passed Ted Williams (521), Willie McCovey (521) and Jimmie Foxx (534) on the career home run chart this season. Mike Schmidt (548) is next.

"These are special names," Rodriguez said. "You've got to take a step back and enjoy the moment."

Twins 6, Tigers 5: Joe Mauer hit a two-run homer and Brendan Harris homered and had a season-high four RBIs in support of Scott Baker (6-2), who allowed four runs and six hits in seven-plus innings as visiting Minnesota beat Detroit for the third straight day.

Royals 5, Mariners 4: Seattle closer Brandon Morrow (1-2) retired the first two batters in the bottom of the ninth before walking pinch-hitter Billy Butler on four pitches, and David DeJesus followed with a two-run homer to rally Kansas City.

Red Sox 12, Orioles 1: J.D. Drew and Manny Ramirez homered on consecutive pitches in the first inning, Kevin Youkilis had a career-high six RBIs (thanks to his first grand slam), and Tim Wakefield (6-6) gave up a run on two hits in seven innings as host Boston hammered Baltimore.

Indians 8, Rays 4: Ryan Garko drove in five runs to help Matt Ginter earn his first win in more than four years as host Cleveland handed Tampa Bay its season-high sixth straight loss and cut the Rays' lead in the AL East to a half- game over Boston.

White Sox 9, Rangers 7: John Danks (7-4), once the top pitching prospect in the Texas organization, allowed four runs and seven hits while striking out eight and walking none in 7 2/3 innings, and Carlos Quentin's two-run single in the sixth of Kevin Millwood (6-5) snapped a 2-2 tie to lift visiting Chicago.

Angels 4, Athletics 1: First-time All-Star Ervin Santana (11-3) allowed five hits over seven scoreless innings, Howie Kendrick had two hits and an RBI, and Vladimir Guerrero and Juan Rivera also drove in runs to lead visiting Los Angeles past Oakland.