Rodriguez Enjoys Return to Texas

Ivan Rodriguez hit a two-run, tiebreaking home run in his return to Texas, and the Detroit Tigers beat the Rangers, 8-7, Friday night at Arlington to end a four-game losing streak.

“It’s good to win as many games as we can,” Rodriguez said. “I know that we’re here in Texas, but now we came from behind and played a good game and got the win.”

Rodriguez, playing against the Rangers for the second time, ended a 5-5 tie with his homer in the eighth against Jeff Nelson. It was his fifth homer this season.

Rodriguez had been three for 32 -- all singles -- with 13 strikeouts in his career against Nelson.

“Things sometimes change,” Rodriguez said. “He threw me a pitch over the plate and I hit a good one. He’s had good success on me, but today was my day.”

Carlos Guillen had three hits, including a three-run homer and a run-scoring triple that proved to be the difference.

Rodriguez spent the first 11 1/2 seasons of his career with the Rangers and won a World Series title with the Florida Marlins last season.

Seattle 6, New York 2 -- Edgar Martinez hit a two-run homer and drove in two more runs at Seattle with the 500th double of his career.

Martinez received a loud standing ovation as he stood at second base in the first inning after becoming the 39th player since 1900 to hit 500 doubles. It drove in Randy Winn and Scott Spiezio to put the Mariners ahead, 2-0.

Boston 7, Kansas City 6 -- Mark Bellhorn tied the score with a two-run home run in the ninth inning and pinch-hitter Jason Varitek doubled home the winning run at Boston.

Mike MacDougal (0-1) walked Johnny Damon leading off the ninth and Bellhorn homered. Scott Sullivan relieved and Varitek doubled, with Manny Ramirez barely beating the relay throw.

Toronto 5, Chicago 4 -- Reed Johnson hit a game-winning single in the ninth inning at Toronto, which got two-run homers from Orlando Hudson and Eric Hinske.

Miguel Olivo hit a three-run homer for the White Sox.

Blue Jay outfielder Carlos Delgado had two hits to surpass Lloyd Moseby for second place on the team’s career list with 1,320.

Baltimore 3, Cleveland 2 -- Larry Bigbie, in a three-for-19 slide, led off the 10th inning with the third game-ending homer this season against Chad Durbin (2-3).

Rafael Palmeiro homered for the Orioles, No. 532 in his career.