Texas 16, San Francisco (ss) 12

SURPRISE, Ariz., March 18 (UPI) -- Kevin Mench led a 19-hit attack, going 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI Tuesday as the Texas Rangers outslugged the San Francisco Giants, 16-12.

With the Rangers holding an 11-10 lead after 7 1/2 innings, Mench sparked a five-run inning by hitting his fourth homer of the spring off lefthander Scott Eyre.

Carl Everett scored three runs and collected three hits and an RBI for Texas, while Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Palmeiro and top prospects Hank Blalock and Mark Teixeira each homered.

Former Ranger Ruben Rivera was the offensive star for San Francisco, going 4-for-4 with two homers, four RBI and three runs scored.

Reynaldo Garcia got the win despite allowing three runs and four hits in 2 1/3 innings, while Texas starter John Thomson was torched for five runs and 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Giants starter Kurt Ainsworth lasted just two innings, yielding four runs and four hits with three walks. Jesse Foppert - a candidate for the fifth spot in San Francisco's rotation - did not help his cause, surrendering five runs and seven hits in three innings for the loss.

Eyre also failed to provide relief, allowing five runs and six hits while retiring just two batters.