McLemore Helps Extend Streak

Mark McLemore’s run-scoring double keyed a six-run third inning Friday night as the Texas Rangers extended their winning streak to five games with a 6-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

Roger Pavlik (1-1) pitched 3 1/3 innings of one-hit relief after replacing Darren Oliver in the fourth.

John Wetteland pitched the ninth for his third save as Texas won for the seventh time in eight games. At 10-4, the Rangers matched the second-best start in franchise history.

Rafael Palmeiro drove in two runs for the Orioles, who dropped their third straight. His two-run double in the third gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead, but the Rangers chased starter Scott Erickson (3-1) with eight hits in the third.

Tom Goodwin opened the third with a single and scored on McLemore’s double to make it 2-1. Juan Gonzalez, Ivan Rodriguez, Lee Stevens and Kevin Elster added run-scoring singles, and Erickson was replaced after yielding 11 hits and six earned runs in 2 2/3 innings.