Gonzalez Has 2 Homers, 5 RBIs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Juan Gonzalez homered twice and drove in five runs Tuesday night, increasing his major league-leading total to 110 runs batted in, and the Rangers hit a season-high six homers in a 15-5 rout of the Kansas City Royals.

Gonzalez, who has nine RBIs in his last three games after going nine games without one, hit a solo homer in the second inning and a three-run shot in the sixth that gave the Rangers a 15-4 lead. He also had an RBI single in the Rangers’ nine-run first inning.

“The last three games, I’ve been trying to be more patient,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve been trying too hard and maybe losing a little bit of my mechanics.”

Roberto Kelly and Mike Simms each hit three-run homers in the Ranger first, Simms off starter Jose Rosado (4-8) and Kelly against reliever Jim Pittsley.

Rick Helling (13-5) pitched a seven-hitter with three strikeouts and no walks. He retired 15 batters on fly balls to the outfield.

All four of the Rangers’ hits against Pittsley were home runs. Kevin Elster hit a leadoff homer in the third inning for an 11-3 lead, and Rusty Greer led off the fourth with a homer that made it 12-3.

Gonzalez’s second home run came against Chris Haney. He came up in the eighth with two on, but hit a fly ball to center field.

NEXT SERIES FOR ANGELS

WHO: Kansas City Royals

WHERE: at Kansas City

WHEN: Friday, 5 p.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m, Monday, 5 p.m.