Palmeiro’s Homers Fuel Rout by Rangers

Rafael Palmeiro hit a grand slam and a three-run home run for a career-high seven runs batted in to lead the Texas Rangers over the Seattle Mariners, 10-1, Monday night.

With 514 homers, Palmeiro moved into 15th place on the career list, two ahead of Ernie Banks.

Palmeiro hit a three-run homer against Ryan Franklin (7-9) in a four-run first inning, then hit his 11th career grand slam, against Arthur Rhodes in the seventh. It was Palmeiro’s 32nd multihomer game and second this season.

Franklin has given up 26 homers, second-most in the major leagues.

Joaquin Benoit (6-5), pitching on three days’ rest for the first time in his two-year major league career, didn’t give up a hit until Ichiro Suzuki singled to right leading off the sixth.

Randy Winn singled in the seventh for Seattle’s other hit against Benoit, who struck out seven and walked two in seven innings.

Hank Blalock hit his 17th homer and finished four for five for Texas.

The Rangers led, 4-0, after four batters. Michael Young reached on third baseman Willie Bloomquist’s error, Blalock singled, Alex Rodriguez hit a run-scoring single and Palmeiro belted a pitch into the right-field seats.

Young had two hits for his 46th multihit game, second only to Suzuki, who has 49.