Zeile Homers Again to Power Rangers, 12-3

Two newly acquired players, Todd Zeile and Royce Clayton, have done their best to impress the Texas Rangers. In turn, the Rangers’ holdovers are trying to impress the newcomers.

The Rangers have been energized by the addition of the two new faces, moving back into first place in the American League West with Sunday night’s 12-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Arlington, Texas.

“There’s no doubt that we’ve improved our lineup as far as consistency is concerned,” Ranger Manager Johnny Oates said. “It’s great to see these guys off to such a good start. Either the new guys are impressing the old guys or the old guys are impressing the new guys. Whatever it is, it’s been very good for us.”

Texas’ victory coupled with Sunday night’s 8-7 loss by the Angels to the Boston Red Sox allowed the Rangers to take a one-game lead in the division.

Zeile homered for the second time in as many games since being traded to Texas and Aaron Sele pitched eight effective innings for his 13th victory.

Zeile, acquired from the Florida Marlins on Friday, connected during a four-run fourth and went two for two with three walks. He homered and went three for four in Saturday’s 8-1 victory over the White Sox.

“I’ve got dangerous hitters in front and in back of me,” Zeile said. “In Florida they pitched me differently. I have more confidence because of the protection I have here.”

Clayton went two for five with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Both Zeile and Clayton have also played well defensively in their two games with the Rangers.

Toronto 6, Minnesota 4--Roger Clemens, still pitching for the Blue Jays after a flurry of trade rumors, struck out a season-high 14 at Minneapolis and won his ninth consecutive decision.

Clemens (14-6), who has not lost in 12 starts since May 29, pitched eight innings and gave up six hits and one earned run. He tied David Cone of the Yankees for the AL’s longest winning streak this year. San Diego’s Kevin Brown currently has won 10 in a row.

Clemens fanned at least one batter in every inning and reached double digits in strikeouts for the 87th time in his career.

Seattle 6, Yankees 3--The Mariners, emerging from the hangover after the trade of Randy Johnson, got strong pitching from Paul Spoljaric and four relievers to win at Seattle.

The Yankees, who have baseball’s best record, lost for the 28th time in 105 games. The Mariners ended a six-game losing streak against New York.

Jay Buhner gave Seattle’s bullpen some breathing room in the seventh when he hit a two-run homer off David Cone (15-4). Buhner had three RBIs.

Spoljaric, replacing Johnson in the starting rotation after Johnson’s trade on Friday night to the Houston Astros for three minor leaguers, tied his career high by going the first 4 1/3 innings, giving up three hits.

Baltimore 9, Kansas City 2--Eric Davis’ two-run double stretched his hitting streak to 20 games and helped the Orioles defeat the Royals at Kansas City, Mo., and avoid a three-game sweep.

Jeffrey Hammonds homered, had two doubles and drove in two runs and Rafael Palmeiro also had two doubles and two RBIs as every Baltimore starter hit safely.

Rookie Sidney Ponson (5-6) won his fourth decision in a row, giving up two runs and eight hits in seven innings. The 21-year-old right-hander struck out a career-high six in the longest outing of his career.

Detroit 3, Tampa Bay 2--Bobby Higginson hit a three-run homer and Brian Powell pitched seven strong innings as the Tigers won at St. Petersburg, Fla. Higginson’s drive to left-center in the fifth inning was his 20th homer of the season. He has hit at least 20 homers in three consecutive seasons.