Gonzalez Raises RBI Total to 101

Randy Johnson was on the mound for the Seattle Mariners, but that didn’t seem to bother Juan Gonzalez, who had two homers and four RBIs for the Texas Rangers in a 8-4 victory Sunday night.

Gonzalez raised his RBI total to 101, becoming only the second player in baseball history to have at least 100 RBIs at the All-Star break.

“To have 100 RBIs at this point is amazing,” Gonzalez said. “For this to come against a pitcher like Randy Johnson makes it even more special.”

The only other player to have at least 100 RBIs before the All-Star break was Hank Greenberg of the Detroit Tigers, who had 103 in 1935 en route to 170.

Gonzalez is also ahead of Hack Wilson’s record pace of 1930, when Wilson drove in 190 runs for the Chicago Cubs. Wilson had 89 RBIs after 87 games.

“The record is not easy, but it’s not impossible,” Gonzalez said. “I need to continue to stay healthy and work hard.”

Gonzalez, who hadn’t homered since June 5, homered in the first and seventh innings off Johnson (7-8). It was the 31st multi-homer game of his career and was the 10th time this season he has driven in four or more runs in a game.

Following the second homer, Gonzalez received a standing ovation from the crowd of 38,053.

“It was the best moment in my career,” said Gonzalez. “That standing ovation was most special. This is just an exciting and happy time for me.”

Johnson has now lost both his starts against Texas this season. Johnson had a career record of 13-3 against Texas prior this season.

Johnson allowed eight runs and nine hits in his third complete game of the season. He walked two and struck out 12, giving him 10 or more strikeouts for the 92nd time in his career and 10th time this season.

The victory for the Rangers was their second in a row after a six-game losing streak. They defeated the Mariners, 9-2, Saturday night in a game that was delayed by rain for 3 1/2 hours and didn’t end until 1:44 a.m. CDT.

Aaron Seles (12-5) became the American League’s first 12-game winner, pitching six shutout innings.