Three homers for Teixeira, as Rangers rout Orioles

Jul 14, 2006, 2:50 GMT

Baltimore, MD - Mark Teixeira blasted a career-high three home runs and matched a career-best with seven runs batted in to lead the Texas Rangers over the Baltimore Orioles, 15-1, in the opener of a four-game set.

'He's (Teixeira) had some good games for us this year,' Texas manager Buck Showalter said. 'It was a good start of the last 70 or so games, he has a good foundation and grip on reality. I felt really good for him because I know how much he wants it and how much hes been such a big contributor already this year defensively and offensively. Tonight was a big reminder of what he is capable of.'

Mark DeRosa, Brad Wilkerson and Rod Barajas also homered for the Rangers, who had a season high in homers. DeRosa finished 4-for-4 with three runs scored and three runs batted in for the Rangers, who won their second straight. Wilkerson drove in four runs, as Texas pounded out 19 hits.

Vicente Padilla (9-5) helped put the Rangers into serious playoff contention with a strong first half of the season and had another solid outing in his team's first game after the All-Star break. The Nicaraguan right-hander won his third consecutive start after allowing one run on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks in seven innings.

Ramon Hernandez went 2-for-3 for the Orioles, who have dropped five of their last seven games. The Orioles sent out the erratic Daniel Cabrera (4-7), who had issued a major-league-high 70 walks at the season's midway point. He gave up four runs on six hits with two strikeouts and five walks in 5 1/3 innings.

'He (Cabrera) hasn't had his breaking ball for several outings, and that makes it a little tough,' Baltimore manager Sam Perlozzo said. 'When you work behind as many times as he works behind and it gets to the point where some good hitters are coming up to the plate, they're eventually going to get to that fastball. We need to get his breaking ball working for him a little bit and maximize his pitches a little bit better.'

Texas got on the board in the first. Gary Matthews Jr. got hit by the fifth pitch of the game and made Cabrera pay later, scoring on a Teixeira sacrifice fly.

Baltimore answered in the third with its only run, as Nick Markakis doubled and got singled home by Brandon Fahey two batters later.

The Rangers blew the game open with six runs in the sixth, as Teixeira blasted the fifth pitch of the frame over the wall in center field. Ian Kinsler walked with one out and Kevin Mench lined a ground-rule double. Wilkerson next lined a two-run double, prompting Chris Britton to come on in relief of Cabrera. Barajas singled, with Wilkerson getting thrown out at the plate. However, Matthews singled and DeRosa homered to left field on the first pitch he saw.

The Rangers' six runs in the sixth inning was the 35th time this season the Orioles have allowed at least four runs in one inning, and is the most in the major leagues.

Texas tacked on two more runs in the seventh. Kinsler walked and Wilkerson came through with a two-run shot to right field on a 2-1 pitch.

The Rangers added another two runs in the eighth. Bruce Chen came on in relief of Sendy Rleal, but gave up a single to DeRosa, who scored as Teixeira blasted a two-run shot to left field.

Texas put the game away with four runs in the ninth. Barajas and Teixeira sent 1-1 pitches over the left-field wall. Barajas had a solo shot and Teixeira a three-run blast for the final margin.

Game Notes

Prior to the game, Texas recalled outfielder Freddy Guzman from Triple-A Oklahoma, and received cash considerations from Milwaukee to complete the May 13 trade of Brian Shouse to the Brewers. Texas also received infielder Enrique Cruz in the trade.

Teixeira's three homers marked the 13th time in franchise history a Rangers player has accomplished the feat, most recently Mench, June 30, 2005 versus the Angels.

The Orioles allowed a season-high six homers and also matched their season-high with 15 runs allowed, also April 18 against Cleveland.

Texas, which swept a two-game series from the Orioles in Arlington in early May, took three of four against Baltimore in Camden Yards last season.

© 2006 The Sports Network