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NEW YORK (AP) -- Joaquin Benoit provided a rare bright spot in another lost season for the Texas Rangers.

	Benoit

The rookie right-hander held baseball's most prolific offense scoreless until the seventh inning, leading Texas to a 6-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Sunday.

"He showed us what we can be excited about for the future,'' Rangers superstar Alex Rodriguez said. "He has a lot of potential. If he keeps doing this we'll be very happy. He threw the ball well and asserted himself early.''

Rodriguez drove in his major league-leading 113th run, Michael Young had two RBI and Herbert Perry homered for the last-place Rangers, who won for the seventh time in 10 games.

Texas improved to 7-6 against the Yankees the past two seasons after winning just 13 of the previous 55 meetings -- including nine straight losses in the playoffs.

After getting pounded by the White Sox, Benoit has given the pitching-challenged Rangers two straight quality starts against two of the top teams in baseball. He has allowed four runs in 12 2/3 innings the past two starts at Boston and New York.

"I just like the improvement we've seen,'' manager Jerry Narron said. "We all knew that he had a good arm but we wanted to see improved concentration. He's had good back-to-back outings in two places that a lot of guys get nervous pitching in.'' Benoit (3-2) looked sharp against the Yankees, who lead the majors in runs scored and home runs. He allowed two runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.

"It feels good doing this against two of the top teams in this league,'' Benoit said. "It's a relief. It makes me much more comfortable.''

Benoit shut the Yankees down earlier this season as well, allowing one run in 4 2/3 innings of relief on July 29.

"He had a little element of surprise, but he's got a good young arm,'' Yankees slugger Jason Giambi said. "He pounded the strike zone.''

Benoit didn't permit a runner to reach third base until Alfonso Soriano's RBI double with one out in the seventh.

Derek Jeter followed with an RBI groundout that cut Texas' lead to 6-2 and end Benoit's outing. Rich Rodriguez came on and retired Giambi on a flyout with a man on third to end the inning.

"It was a very important out,'' Rodriguez said. "These fans feed off rallies. When you can take a New York crowd out of the game it's a big accomplishment.''

The Rangers, who entered the game with a major league-worst 5.18 ERA, have held the Yankees to seven runs in winning two of the first three games in the series.

"We're struggling right now offensively,'' Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "We're probably not up there with as much confidence as we normally have.''

Texas broke out to an early lead against Andy Pettitte (8-5), scoring twice in the first inning and once in the second. Pettitte allowed six runs -- five earned -- and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings to end a four-game winning streak.

Bernie Williams had one hit for the Yankees, extending his hitting streak to a season-high 16 games.

Kevin Mench led off the game for Texas by hitting a hard grounder that third baseman Robin Ventura booted for an error. Young and Rodriguez followed with singles to give Texas a 1-0 lead. Rafael Palmeiro added a sacrifice fly in the inning.

Young hit an RBI single in the second and Perry hit his 17th homer of the year leading off the fourth to make it 4-0.

Pettitte left with runners on first and second and one out in the sixth and Ramiro Mendoza came in and allowed an RBI single to Mench and a run-scoring double by Young.

"I was good in the bullpen,'' Pettitte said. "You just get out there and aren't able to make the adjustment. That's frustrating because usually I can do that.''

Game notes

Palmeiro singled in the fifth for his 2,600th career hit. ... The Rangers have homered in 12 straight games, giving them 179 on the season -- 10 behind the Yankees, who lead the majors. ... Pettitte has allowed just five homers in 17 starts this season. ... The Yankees need to win Monday to avoid losing their second series since June 28. They are 11-1-4 in that span, losing two of three to Oakland earlier this month.