ARLINGTON, Texas, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Luis Mendoza recorded the first victory of his career Friday night, and the Texas Rangers ended a four-game losing streak with a 3-2 decision over Baltimore.
Mendoza (1-0) made his second major league start and gave up a run on four hits in five innings. Texas won for only the second time in 11 games.
Nelson Cruz had three hits, one of them a homer, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia's RBI single in the second put the Rangers in front for good.
Victor Santos (0-2) allowed three runs on five hits in five innings to take the loss.
Joaquin Benoit loaded the bases with none out in the ninth and gave up a run on Scott Moore's sacrifice fly. But Benoit then struck out Paul Bako, and Melvin Mora was caught trying to steal second to end the game.
It was Benoit's 12th save.
