Helling Stymies Skidding Orioles

Rick Helling appears back to his 20-game-winning form from a year ago.

Helling improved to 4-4 with eight strong innings Saturday night as the Rangers defeated Baltimore, 8-1, handing the Orioles their sixth consecutive loss.

“Rick had a lot of quality pitches tonight,” Texas Manager Johnny Oates said after his team’s fourth straight victory. “We needed that kind of outing from him to give the bullpen a rest. He only had one strikeout, but he has 16 fly balls for outs.”

Helling gave up six hits and two walks.

Rafael Palmeiro, who left Baltimore to sign as a free agent with Texas during the offseason, homered in the sixth off reliever Doug Johns (0-1).

Palmeiro hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the seventh inning Friday night to give Texas a victory.

“For Raffy, I don’t think his playing against his old teammates had anything to do with the way he’s hitting,” Oates said. “He’s not just hitting .300 against Baltimore, he’s doing it against everybody.”

The Rangers added four runs in the seventh off Mike Fetters and Jesse Orosco.

Texas took a 1-0 lead in the first on Rusty Greer’s RBI double, but Baltimore tied it in the second on Cal Ripken’s run-scoring double.

Helling retired 13 of the next 14 batters he faced, including eight in a row.

After giving up Greer’s RBI double, Oriole starter Juan Guzman retired 11 of the next 12 batters before leaving with a stiff back after four innings. He gave up two hits and one run.

“Guzman was pitching good. He came in and said his back hurt. They checked him out and said he was stiff. Guzman looked like he was in pain,” Baltimore Manager Ray Miller said. “Then after that, we didn’t get anything from our relief. . . . We have some young guys throwing good right now. Maybe it is time we get them here.”

AROUND THE LEAGUE / Bigger Fenway Park Planned

The Boston Red Sox unveiled a plan to replace Fenway Park, the smallest and oldest ballpark in the major leagues, with a similar but bigger one across the street in 2003.

The proposed stadium would have about 35% more space and 11,000 more seats, officials said.

As part of the estimated $550 million project, most of the 87-year-old Fenway Park--including the Green Monster wall in left field--would be preserved and turned into a public park adjoining the new stadium.

Other improvements at the proposed stadium, which would also be called Fenway Park, would include about 100 luxury boxes, at least 5,000 premium club seats, upgraded concession areas, wider seats and bigger aisles. Field dimensions would remain virtually the same.