BALTIMORE - The Texas Rangers ended their losing streak at the expense of the Baltimore Orioles, who also took a hit off the field while stumbling to their sixth successive defeat.

Alfonso Soriano homered, had three hits and drove in two runs, leading the Rangers to a 4-2 victory Monday night that stopped a five-game skid.

Joaquin Benoit (2-1) gave up four hits over five shutout innings in his second start of the season. The first came last Wednesday, when he allowed six runs in five innings in a loss to the New York Yankees.

This time, though, the right-hander delivered a much-needed victory.

“It’s really big. We come off losing five games in a row and I think this way, we just kind of wake up everybody,” Benoit said. “It wasn’t the best game of our lives, but it was a good way to start.”

Francisco Cordero, the fifth Texas pitcher, worked the ninth for his 23rd save, getting Miguel Tejada to ground into a game-ending double play.

Tejada went 0-for-5, and the Orioles twice left the bases loaded in the first four innings.

“We could have put them away,” first baseman Rafael Palmeiro said, “but we didn’t. We’re struggling. We’re not giving our pitchers any support.”

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It was a bad night for Baltimore in more ways than one. Not only did the Orioles match their season-high losing streak, but they also lost a possible addition to a struggling offense that stranded 10 runners and has scored more than five runs only once since the All-Star break.

During the game, Baltimore learned that San Diego Padres first baseman Phil Nevin blocked a proposed trade that would have sent him to the Orioles for pitcher Sidney Ponson. Nevin had the right to reject a deal to eight teams, including Baltimore.

“He just decided that ... family factors, personal factors, took precedent over baseball factors,” said Nevin’s agent, Barry Axelrod. “He wants to remain a part of San Diego and the ballclub. He’s always wanted to be in San Diego.”

Jay Gibbons homered and Melvin Mora had three hits for the Orioles, who dropped to two games over .500 (50-48) for the first time since April 21.