DETROIT -- Tigers designated hitter Gary Sheffield moved alone into 25th place on the all-time Major League home run list with No. 494, a solo shot against the Yankees on Monday.

It was Sheffield's second homer this year against his former squad, which traded him to Detroit after the 2006 season in exchange for three prospects. From a more historic career standpoint, it broke him out of a tie with Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig and former Sheffield teammate Fred McGriff, a feat Sheffield was anticipating because of what it would mean to pass McGriff, his fellow Tampa, Fla., native and good friend.

Sheffield's drive to left-center field came off Yankees starter Sidney Ponson to lead off the bottom of the second inning. It was his first home run since Aug. 18 at Texas.

The 500-homer mark is Sheffield's next milestone, though he has tried not to play it up. After Monday, the Tigers have 25 games left this season for Sheffield to hit six more home runs. He has 14 so far this season, but nine of them have come in 39 games since the All-Star break.