Rangers 18 Astros 3

(Houston-AP) -- Mark Teixeira (teh-SHEHR'-uh) and Hank Blalock belted grand slams in the Texas Rangers' 18-to-3 rout of Houston. <br/><br/>Teixeira and Blalock are the first Rangers to hit grand

Sunday, July 4th 2004, 11:40 am

By: News On 6

(Houston-AP) -- Mark Teixeira (teh-SHEHR'-uh) and Hank Blalock belted grand slams in the Texas Rangers' 18-to-3 rout of Houston.

Teixeira and Blalock are the first Rangers to hit grand slams in the same game. Teixeira also hit a solo homer in the eighth and finished with six R-B-I's.

Kevin Mench had a career-high four hits, including a pair of homers. Alfonso Soriano added a two-run homer as the Rangers captured the Silver Boot trophy for winning the season series between the two teams. The two teams split the series 3-to-3, but the Rangers outscored the Astros 42-to-29 to win the trophy.

Teixeira, Blalock and Mench combined for 14 R-B-I.s

Joaquin Benoit allowed two runs and five hits in six innings to move to 3-and-3. The loss goes to 4-and-2 Andy Pettitte, who was tagged for six runs and eight hits in five innings.