Arlington, Texas ? With his first swing, Alex Rodriguez silenced the booing fans who greeted his return to Texas.

A few innings later, the sellout crowd had plenty to cheer about — mostly from the kids A-Rod was so glad to leave behind.

Laynce Nix hit a pair of two-run homers, Mark Teixeira doubled twice and scored three runs and rookie Frankie Francisco struck out Rodriguez, helping the Texas Rangers rally from a three-run deficit to beat the New York Yankees, 9-7, Friday night.

In his first game against Texas since being traded in February, Rodriguez went 2-for-5 with three RBIs and scored twice.

He got off to a dramatic start by hitting a two-run homer in his first at-bat. He celebrated briefly while rounding third, cocking his right fist and softly pumping his arm.

“The way they swing the bats, I told (Derek) Jeter we needed more than two runs,” Rodriguez said.

The sellout crowd began jeering him as soon as his No. 13 was visible at the top of the visitors’ dugout about 20 minutes before the first pitch. The boos continued at every opportunity, such as infield groundouts in his second and third at-bats.

But there also were some cheers. A few after his homer and more after several nice defensive plays at third base.

As far as return trips go, Rodriguez said this one was nothing compared to how Seattle fans welcomed him back in 2001 after he signed a record $252 million, 10-year contract with the Rangers.

“I thought it was OK,” Rodriguez said. “I was surprised at how many positives there were.”

New York's Alex Rodriguez rounds the bases after hitting a first-inining home run as Texas shortstop Michael Young looks on. The Rangers defeated the Yankees, 9-7, Friday night in Arlington, Texas.

The Yankees stretched their lead to 4-1 in the fourth. Then Rodriguez saw the players he mocked as “24 kids” go ahead with four runs in the bottom of the inning off Kevin Brown (5-1), who allowed five runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Texas stretched the lead to 9-4 going into the ninth. Rodriguez helped New York made it close by drilling a one-out single off the glove of Alfonso Soriano, the player he was traded for, then scored on a single by Gary Sheffield.

Texas closer Francisco Cordero allowed two inherited runners to score, but struck out the final two batters for his 14th save in as many chances. Joaquin Benoit (2-1) pitched five innings for the win.

“That was exciting,” Cordero said. “I think it was more exciting because the fans were into it from the first pitch.”

A-Rod has learned quickly that he and the Yankees are scorned wherever they go. He expected an especially bitter reception here, although he said before the game that he didn’t deserve it, “simply because I came here and played the best baseball I could play.”

“I won an MVP, two Gold Gloves and three player of the year (awards),” he said. “The way I played between the lines was special.”

Despite his personal success, the Rangers flopped, finishing last all three years. Owner Tom Hicks decided to slash the payroll and he got his highest-paid player’s permission to be traded, as long as it was to the Red Sox or Yankees.

“When I came here, the plan was to go for it and to spend,” Rodriguez said. “Then the plan changed. … For me and the point of my career where I am, it didn’t fit.”

White Sox 8, Twins 2

Minneapolis — Mark Buehrle pitched seven solid innings, and Timo Perez and Jose Valentin each hit two-run homers in Chicago’s victory over Minnesota. Buehrle (4-1) gave up two runs on seven hits and tied his season high with eight strikeouts. He improved to 12-4 against the Twins, the most victories he has against any opponent. The left-hander had plenty of help from Chicago’s lineup, which had 12 hits despite missing cleanup hitter Frank Thomas because of an upset stomach.

Angels 5, Orioles 3

Anaheim, Calif. — Jose Guillen drove in the tying and go-ahead runs with a single during a four-run eighth inning and threw out a runner at the plate from left field, helping Anaheim beat Baltimore. Mike DeJean (0-4) relieved Eric DuBose after seven innings and gave up three straight hits on five pitches.

Tigers 5, Mariners 0

Seattle — Nate Robertson threw seven shutout innings, Carlos Pena hit a two-run homer and Eric Munson added a solo shot in Detroit’s win over Seattle. Robertson (3-3) held the Mariners to just six singles in sending them to their 10th loss in 12 games.

Red Sox 11, Blue Jays 5

Boston — Manny Ramirez’s solo homer broke an eighth-inning tie and sparked a six-run outburst, and Pokey Reese drove in three runs to lead Boston over Toronto. Simon Pond hit his first major league homer for Toronto, a solo shot that tied it at 5 in the seventh. But Boston sent 11 batters to the plate in the eighth to face four Toronto pitchers.

Devil Rays 5, Indians 3

St. Petersburg, Fla. — Jose Cruz Jr. went 4-for-4 with a home run and three doubles, and Tampa Bay won consecutive games for the first time this season.