Jeter passes Ruth in Yankees win

Jeter is in his 13th season with the Yankees

Derek Jeter passed baseball legend Babe Ruth on the New York Yankees' all-time hits list as his team battled to stay in play-off contention.

The shortstop took his total to 2,520 as the Yankees' claimed a 7-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels in California.

Jeter, 34, is now chasing Lou Gehrig's Yankees mark of 2,721, but said records are not the main thing on his mind.

"We're trying to win games," he said, referring to his team's current fourth place in the American League East.

But Jeter added: "Any time you mention guys like that, obviously it's an honour."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday that he thinks Jeter will appreciate the accomplishment more once the season is over.

"I think when he goes home for the winter and he's sitting around and sees the ball on his mantle, I think he's going to enjoy it.

"A lot of players have a hard time enjoying things during the season."

Jeter is also chasing Gehrig for the all-time record of hits at Yankee Stadium, which closes after this season to be replaced by a new ballpark.

He is nine hits short of catching him at 1,269, with 10 home games remaining this season in the Bronx.