MLB: Texas 19, Baltimore 6

Ian Kinsler had six hits and became the first player in the majors this year to hit for the cycle, sending Texas to a 19-6 pounding of Baltimore.

After losing five in a row and suffering their last three losses by a total of four runs, the Rangers broke loose for 19 hits. Kinsler also drove in four runs and Nelson Cruz hit a grand slam homer in an eight-run fourth inning.

Marlon Byrd went 5-for-6 with three RBI. Kris Benson (1-1) benefited from the onslaught to get the victory. He allowed four runs on six hits over six innings.

The loss went to Mark Hendrickson (1-1), who gave up nine runs on seven hits. Just two of the runs were earned after a throwing error by second baseman Brian Roberts contributed to the Rangers’ big fourth inning.

Kinsler doubled in the first inning, hit a solo homer in the third, singled twice in the fourth, completed the cycle with a triple in the sixth and tacked on a double in the eighth. He also scored five runs and stole a base.