ARLINGTON, Texas, May 11 (UPI) -- Rafael Palmeiro belted his 500th career home run Sunday and Hank Blalock went four for five with four RBI as the Texas Rangers avoided being swept with a 17-10 rout of the Cleveland Indians.
The 19th player to reach the plateau and second this season, the 38-year-old Palmeiro is the fifth-oldest to record his 500th homer in major league history. Only Ted Williams, Eddie Murray, Willie McCovey and Ernie Banks were older when they hit their 500th.
Palmeiro's blast -- a three-run shot -- came off Dave Elder on a full count during his fifth at bat with two outs in the seventh inning.
"Once I got to first base and touched it, I don't remember anything," Palmeiro said. "It was a numb feeling."
As Palmeiro circled the bases a huge sign being held by fans in the outfield was changed from 499 to 500. A priest sitting in the right field bleachers caught the baseball and soon saw to it that Palmeiro had it in his possession.
"It was a big relief to do it at home," said Palmeiro. "I tried not to think of it too much, but it is hard not to think about it because of the sign out there that is about 600 feet long.
"The fans wanted it and my teammates wanted it. I wouldn't have had it any other way.
"I talked to my mom last night and she said all she wanted for Mother's Day was for me to hit a home run. I thanked her for adding to the pressure."
Blalock posted career highs in hits and RBI while scoring twice as the Rangers snapped their three-game losing skid.
Carl Everett and Ryan Christenson also homered for Texas while Joaquin Benoit (1-0) picked up the win with two scoreless innings of relief.
Cleveland starter Ricardo Rodriguez (2-4) suffered his fourth straight loss, surrendering seven runs and eight hits in four innings.
