Canseco Keeps Devil Rays Hot

Jose Canseco continues to downplay the hot streak he’s on, but the numbers grow ever more impressive.

He hit his 15th home run as Tampa Bay beat the Texas Rangers, 5-4, giving the Devil Rays their fourth consecutive victory.

Canseco’s towering two-run shot off Mike Morgan in the fifth inning moved him one ahead of Seattle’s Ken Griffey Jr. for the major league lead. Griffey homered later Tuesday to tie Canseco.

After a streak of 34 at-bats without a home run at the end of April, Canseco has five home runs in his last eight games.

“I really don’t think about it because today is over and I’ve got to come back tomorrow,” Canseco said. “Whether I hit four home runs today, I’m going to have the same attitude. I hear everyone talk about all the numbers, but I’m not even thinking about it.”

Canseco’s homer gives him 35 against Texas, one ahead of George Brett for second-most by a Ranger opponent. Reggie Jackson’s 45 homers are the most against Texas. He also has 11 homers at the Ballpark in Arlington, one behind Baltimore’s Albert Belle for most by a Texas opponent.

Devil Ray starter Rolando Arrojo gave up three runs, eight hits and five walks in five innings.

Arrojo had given up four or more earned runs in four consecutive games while losing three of the four. In his last outing, he gave up five earned runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings in a 9-4 loss to Minnesota.

Rafael Palmeiro went four for five with four runs batted in for Texas.