ARLINGTON, Texas -- With his first swing, Alex Rodriguez silenced the booing fans who greeted his return to Texas.
A few innings later, the sellout crowd had plenty to cheer about -- mostly from the kids A-Rod was so glad to leave behind.
Laynce Nix hit a pair of two-run homers, Mark Teixeira doubled twice and scored three runs and rookie Frank Francisco struck out Rodriguez, helping the Texas Rangers rally from a three-run deficit to beat the New York Yankees 9-7 Friday night.
In his first game against Texas since being traded in February, Rodriguez went 2-for-5 with three RBI and scored twice.
He got off to a dramatic start by hitting a two-run homer in his first at-bat. He celebrated briefly while rounding third, cocking his right fist and softly pumping his arm.
"The way they swing the bats, I told (Derek) Jeter we needed more than two runs," Rodriguez said.
The sellout crowd began jeering him as soon as his No. 13 was visible at the top of the visitors' dugout about 20 minutes before the first pitch. The boos continued at every opportunity, such as infield groundouts in his second and third at-bats.
But there also were some cheers. A few after his homer and more after several nice defensive plays at third base.
As far as return trips go, Rodriguez said this one was nothing compared to how Seattle fans welcomed him back in 2001 after he signed a record $252 million, 10-year contract with the Rangers.
"I thought it was OK," Rodriguez said. "I was surprised at how many positives there were."
The Yankees stretched their lead to 4-1 in the fourth. Then Rodriguez saw the players he mocked as "24 kids" go ahead with four runs in the bottom of the inning off Kevin Brown (5-1), who allowed five runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Texas stretched the lead to 9-4 going into the ninth. Rodriguez helped New York made it close by drilling a one-out single off the glove of Alfonso Soriano, the player he was traded for, then scored on a single by Gary Sheffield.
Texas closer Francisco Cordero allowed two inherited runners to score, but struck out the final two batters for his 14th save in as many chances. Joaquin Benoit (2-1) pitched five innings for the win.
"That was exciting," Cordero said. "I think it was more exciting because the fans were into it from the first pitch."
A-Rod has learned quickly that he and the Yankees are scorned wherever they go. He expected an especially bitter reception here, although he said before the game that he didn't deserve it, "simply because I came here and played the best baseball I could play."
"I won an MVP, two Gold Gloves and three player of the year (awards)," he said. "The way I played between the lines was special."
Despite his personal success, the Rangers flopped, finishing last all three years. Owner Tom Hicks decided to slash the payroll and he got his highest-paid player's permission to be traded, as long as it was to the Red Sox or Yankees.
"When I came here, the plan was to go for it and to spend," Rodriguez said. "Then the plan changed... For me and the point of my career where I am, it didn't fit."
After a deal with Boston fell through, Hicks and Rodriguez said they were committed to each other. He was even appointed team captain, only to get traded 23 days later.
"We gave it a good try," Rodriguez said of his Texas tenure. "Unfortunately, we didn't get the Ws we all wanted. But I think while I was here, those three years, everyone's effort was 100 percent. That's what I'm most proud of. That's what I'll always remember."
Fans appreciated Rodriguez's skills, but he was never really beloved. His public persona was bland, then the way things went last offseason really soured folks.
He made things worse -- with fans and former teammates -- with a magazine article released this spring in which he wrote that he was upset the Rangers had become "Alex and 24 kids."
Many signs Friday night jabbed at that line. So did the sound crew. The last song played before Texas took the field was "The Kids Are Alright" by The Who. It was cranked up again before the top of the ninth.
It's true -- these kids are doing just fine without the player many consider the best in the game.
The Rangers are 24-17, identical to the record of Rodriguez's new team. New shortstop Michael Young (.356) is among the league's leading hitters and fielders. Soriano is doing well, too, as is third baseman Hank Blalock, who played alongside A-Rod last season.
"I feel like, to a small degree, I'm a part of that because I was in the development process," said Rodriguez, who hugged Young and outfielder Kevin Mench when he saw them before the game.
Rodriguez started slowly with the Yankees, but is rolling now. The homer was his 10th and it put him on base for a 30th straight game, his longest streak since 1999 -- two years before he joined the Rangers.
Notes
- New York's Jason Giambi sprained his right ankle rounding first base in the ninth and was replaced by pinch-runner Homer Bush. He was on crutches after the game and manager Joe Torre said the slugger could be headed to the disabled list.
- Texas' David Dellucci had four hits for the third time in his career.
- Nix had his second multihomer game this season, the third of his career.
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