Rangers Extend Winning Streak

This time the Texas Rangers did their rallying a little earlier.

Rafael Palmeiro’s two-run double highlighted a six-run fifth inning as the Rangers came back Wednesday night to extend their winning streak to nine games with a 7-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

“That’s what we wanted to do, get our runs earlier,” left fielder Rusty Greer said. “You hate to keep waiting that long because it doesn’t always work out.”

Texas rallied to win each of the three games against Kansas City, but the Rangers went to their final at-bat in the first two victories. On Wednesday, they erased a 2-0 deficit with their decisive fifth inning.

The Rangers’ streak is the longest in the majors this season and their longest since winning 14 consecutive games in May 1991.

“You have success and it breeds more success,” Ranger Manager Johnny Oates said. “The ballclub is playing very well right now. We’re getting good defense, well-pitched games and timely hitting.”

Palmeiro hit his 15th homer in the seventh and went two for two with three runs batted in to break out of a two-for-23 slump.

“Any time you win nine in a row, it’s a good feeling,” he said. “Everything’s going our way right now.”

Meanwhile, everything’s been going sour for the Royals, who completed a 1-8 trip with five consecutive losses.

Kansas City Manager Tony Muser pointed to his pitching staff’s seven walks, three in the fifth, as his team’s undoing.

“We always had one inning that cost us,” Muser said of the dismal trip. “The history of the game will tell you that walks will kill you, and they killed us.”

Aaron Sele (5-4) gave up two runs and seven hits in seven innings. He struck out four and walked one. John Wetteland pitched a perfect ninth for his 18th save.

The key for the Rangers during their streak has been effective starting pitching.

Over the nine games, Ranger starters have pitched into the seventh inning seven times.