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O's, Rangers continue set in Arlington

Right-hander Luis Mendoza makes the second start of his major-league career tonight when the Texas Rangers host the Baltimore Orioles in game two of a four-game weekend set at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

A 23-year-old Mexican, Mendoza was on the hill to begin the Rangers' September 8 game against Oakland and allowed two hits in two innings before being lifted after he was struck on the right knee by a line drive.

He's appeared twice in relief since, allowing three hits and a run in 2 1/3 innings on Sept. 12 and 15. The 6-foot-3, 180-pounder from Veracruz has pitched 4 1/3 innings overall, striking out one and walking none.

Veteran Victor Santos makes his third start in a Baltimore uniform.

The 30-year-old right-hander began the season in the National League with Cincinnati and appeared in 32 games as a reliever with a 5.14 earned run average in 49 innings. He was designated for assignment by the Reds in August and made his way to Baltimore.

Santos is 0-1 with a no-decision in two starts for the Orioles, allowing 14 hits and nine runs in seven innings.

He's made three career relief appearances against the Rangers, allowing five hits and a run in 6 2/3 innings.

On Thursday, Brian Roberts' three-run home run highlighted a five-run 10th inning as Baltimore picked up a 6-3 win. Melvin Mora went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI while Miguel Tejada also drove in a run for the Orioles, who snapped a three-game losing sweep.

Jamie Walker (2-2) got the win for pitching 1 2/3 perfect innings. Victor Zambrano started for Baltimore and gave up just one run on three hits in five innings of work.

Michael Young, Marlon Byrd and Hank Blalock each drove in a run for the Rangers, who have dropped nine of their last 10 games.

John Rheinecker (3-3) got the loss as he was charged with three runs -- two earned -- without recording an out in the 10th. Brandon McCarthy started the game and gave up just five hits in four innings of work.

Texas has won four of its seven meetings with Baltimore this year, splitting the four at home thus far. The club is 16-10 versus the Orioles since the start of the 2005 season, going 9-6 at home in that span.

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