Kelly, Palmeiro Continue Power Surge by Rangers

Rafael Palmeiro has been hitting home runs for the Texas Rangers all year. Roberto Kelly hasn’t had the chance.

Kelly had a pair of two-run home runs and Palmeiro hit his career-high 44th homer to lead the Texas Rangers to their 13th consecutive win over the Minnesota Twins, 8-3, Wednesday.

The Rangers have won three in a row and are 12-0 against the Twins this season. Minnesota won one game on its nine-game homestand.

Palmeiro is second in the AL in runs batted in with 139 and trails Ken Griffey Jr. by one home run. He entered the day tied for fourth in the league in average, giving him an outside chance at the Triple Crown.

“We’ve got 15 games to go,” Palmeiro said. “Hopefully I’m not done yet.”

Kelly, starting in left field for the injured Rusty Greer, went three for four with four RBIs and two runs scored. He also hit a double in the second. It was his fifth career two-homer game.

“This guy, when he gets his chance to play, he produces. Over and over and over again,” Texas Manager Johnny Oates said.

Kelly, who has played for eight teams--including the Twins--in his 11-year career, remains patient for his chance to play.

“Right now, I’ve really got to be ready as much as I can,” Kelly said. “It’s funny--when you’re just trying to put the ball on the bat, it goes a long way.”

Esteban Loaiza (8-4) scattered six hits over 6 1/3 innings to snap a personal three-game losing streak.