(August 25, 2008)--Nelson Cruz had three hits including a three-run homer in his season debut, and the Texas Rangers beat the Kansas City Royals 9-4 Monday night.

Cruz, promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma earlier in the day, homered in the third with Josh Hamilton and Marlon Byrd aboard. Cruz hit .342 with 37 home runs at Oklahoma and led the minors with a .693 slugging percentage,

Last July 28, Cruz was recalled from the minors and went had two
homers and five RBIs at Kansas City in his first game of the season
for Texas.

Scott Feldman (5-5), winless in five starts since a July 21 victory over the Chicago White Sox, gave up three runs - two earned - and eight hits in seven innings.