Rangers Powered by Palmeiro, 9-8

Rafael Palmeiro drove in six runs, tying a career high, and Royce Clayton scored on a passed ball by Kelly Stinnett in the top of the eighth inning to lift the Texas Rangers over the Arizona Diamondbacks, 9-8, on Saturday night.

Clayton hit a one-out single off Darren Holmes (3-2) and advanced to third when Arizona first baseman Travis Lee misplayed Gregg Zaun’s sharp grounder. With Clayton at third, Zaun at second and Mark McLemore at the plate, Holmes threw a ball in the dirt that got past Stinnett, allowing Clayton to score.

Mike Venafro (2-0) pitched a perfect seventh inning for the win.

John Wetteland pitched the ninth for his 19th save in 20 chances, and 13th in a row.

Palmeiro, starting at first base for the first time in a Ranger uniform this season, hit two homers--one a grand slam--to raise his season home run total to 17. Switching out of his designated hitter role, Palmeiro had six RBIs for the third time in his career.

Each time the Diamondbacks took a lead, Palmeiro tied the score--with a two-run shot off Arizona starter Armando Reynoso in the fourth and with a grand slam in the eighth off Holmes, who inherited three runners from Greg Swindell.

Jay Bell drove in four runs with a double and three-run homer for the Diamondbacks.

Reynoso gave up five hits in 5 1/3 innings, but struggled with his control, walking four and throwing a wild pitch before being lifted. He struck out Juan Gonzalez leading off the sixth, but the ball got away from catcher Stinnett, and Stinnett’s throw to first pulled Lee off the bag.

Ivan Rodriguez followed with his second single of the game, and Manager Buck Showalter pulled his starter.