MIAMI (AP) -- The Texas Rangers ended their longest losing streak

of the season thanks to two pitchers making their season debuts.

Ricardo Rodriguez pitched five effective innings and John Wasdin

earned a four-inning save to help the Rangers snap a five-game

losing streak with a 6-2 victory over the Florida Marlins.

Richard Hidalgo's two-run homer in the eighth provided insurance

runs.

Both Rodriguez and Wasdin joined the Rangers hours before the

game. Rodriguez (1-0), recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma, allowed two

runs and seven hits, walked one and struck out five. He also had

his first career hit and first career RBI.

"I wasn't nervous, I was excited. I had nice adrenaline," said

Rodriguez, who has a 9-12 career record. "But after, that I had to

calm myself down. That's the only way I could keep myself in the

game as long as possible."

Wasdin, whose contract was purchased from Oklahoma earlier

Sunday, got his fourth career save -- first since July 16, 2000,

against Montreal while he with Boston.

"I was down in Oklahoma, still getting my job done, trying to

be the best Triple-A pitcher I could be," said Wasdin, who took a

6 a.m. flight from New Orleans and arrive at Dolphins Stadium about

four hours before gametime. "I didn't moan or groan when

transactions happened, I just did my job."

Brian Moehler (2-4) gave up four runs, seven hits and three

walks -- one intentional -- and struck out a season-high seven for

the Marlins, who have lost 13 of 18. Moehler dropped to 0-3 at home

despite a 2.33 ERA.

"We're in good shape, this is a long season," Marlins manager

Jack McKeon said. "August and September is when the cream comes to

the top."

Texas extended its lead to 4-2 in the sixth on Rod Barajas'

run-scoring double -- a low line drive just to the right of second

baseman Damion Easley.

Hidalgo's two-run shot off Guillermo Mota in the eighth made it

6-2. Hidalgo has 12 homers on the season, including eight of his

last 17 hits overall.

"We knew we couldn't lose a sixth game in a row," Hidalgo

said. "Our pitching did the job today."

Texas went ahead 1-0 in the first on Hank Blalock's two-out

double.

Florida tied it in the bottom of the inning on Miguel Cabrera's

RBI single, and went ahead 2-1 in the third on Jeff Conine's

two-out run-scoring double.

Rodriguez's first career hit and first career RBI capped a

two-run fourth that gave Texas a 3-2 lead. Blalock led off by

reaching on an infield single when first baseman Carlos Delgado

made a nice diving stop but Moehler was late covering the bag.

"I just got a late first step," Moehler said. "My fault.

That's all it takes for him to beat it out."

Alfonso Soriano then doubled to deep right-center field, putting

runners on second and third. After Laynce Nix's ground out scored

Blalock, Rodriguez slapped a single to left for his first hit in

seven career at-bats.

"All our pitchers did a great job swinging the bat in the whole

interleague series," Rangers manager Buck Showalter said. "But I

would not hold my breath that would continue with Ricardo."Game notes
Umpire Troy Fullwood filled in for crew chief Randy Marsh,

who missed his second straight game because of a family medical

emergency. Fullwood worked second base. ... Before the game, the

Rangers placed right-hander Joaquin Benoit (elbow tendinitis) on

the 15-day disabled, and designated outfielder Andres Torres for

assignment. ... Texas' Mark Teixeira was 1-for-15 in the series.

... Marlins pinch hitter Paul Lo Duca was ejected in the ninth

after arguing a called third strike.