Rangers, Rodriguez Pound Royals, 12-5

Ivan Rodriguez had a career-high five hits and drove in four runs in an eight-run third inning as the Texas Rangers beat the Kansas City Royals, 12-5, Sunday night.

Rodriguez hit a two-run homer and a two-run single in the third and the Rangers went on to their 12th victory in their last 14 games. In his last four games, Rodriguez is 13 for 19 with nine RBIs.

Aaron Sele (11-6) got enough support to win his fourth consecutive decision. Sele gave up five runs and eight hits in eight innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

Ruben Mateo’s double in the second gave Texas a 1-0 lead, but Kansas City tied it in the third on Johnny Damon’s RBI groundout.

Texas broke the game open in the third, knocking out Brian Barber (1-3), who started in place of Kevin Appier. The Royals’ former ace was traded to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday.

Rodriguez hit his 19th homer to put the Rangers in front, 3-1, and later in the inning, Todd Zeile had a two-run double for a 5-1 lead.

Blake Stein, one of three pitchers acquired for Appier, gave up a sacrifice fly to Lee Stevens, and the inning’s sixth run scored on Stein’s wild pitch. Rodriguez’s two-run single extended Texas’ advantage to 9-1.