Ranger Bats Come Alive in Giant Way

After three one-run victories in their last four games, the Texas Rangers decided to give themselves some breathing room.

Rookie Ruben Mateo had a career-high four hits and Mark McLemore had three hits and three RBIs as the Rangers beat the San Francisco Giants, 14-7, Monday night.

“It was good to see the bats come alive,” said Manager Johnny Oates after his team’s 17-hit attack. “We got behind early, then we did good things to get back in it.”

Ivan Rodriguez also had three hits. Juan Gonzalez, Rusty Greer, Lee Stevens and Mateo all drove in two runs apiece to help the Rangers to their fourth victory in five games.

“We have one of the best offensive teams in baseball,” Gonzalez said. “Tonight everybody saw it. We need that kind of offense every night.”

The Giants have dropped five of six after winning 10 of 12.

The Rangers fell behind when rookie Ryan Glynn allowed a three-run homer to Barry Bonds in the first inning. It was Bonds’ 10th homer but first since July 3.

After the Rangers rallied, Glynn took a 7-3 lead into the fifth, but did not qualify for the victory because he was lifted after consecutive walks with one out.

Glynn knew Oates wanted him to throw strikes with a big lead, and when the rookie didn’t, Oates took him out.

“To be the pitcher we want him to be, he’s got to throw more strikes,” Oates said. “If you throw the ball over the plate, you’ve got a chance. If you walk ‘em, you have no chance.”

Esteban Loaiza (1-1) gave up four runs and five hits over 4 2/3 innings of relief to pick up his first victory since beating Detroit on Aug. 31 last year. Oates wanted Loaiza to soak up innings and save the bullpen.

“He threw strikes in the game when we had a lot of runs,” Oates said. “I can live with strikes. You can’t get outs unless you throw strikes.”

Texas came back against Giant starter Chris Brock (6-8) with a two-run first inning. Greer had an RBI single and Gonzalez added a run-scoring double.

The Rangers knocked Brock out of the game with one out in the second. McLemore tied it 3-3 with an RBI single, then Rodriguez gave the Rangers the lead with a run-scoring single.