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Cruz hopes to provide another spark for Rangers

Aug 26, 2008 - 2:17 PM Texas (64-68) at Kansas City (56-75), 8:10 pm EDT

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- Nelson Cruz hopes his second game back in the major leagues goes as well as his first.

Cruz, who spent most of the season with Class AAA Oklahoma, will attempt to build off an impressive performance when the Texas Rangers play the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Cruz, who blasted 37 home runs this season with Oklahoma, celebrated his return to the majors on Monday with three hits - including a three-run blast, helping the Rangers snap a three-game losing streak with a 9-4 victory over the Royals.

Cruz, whose contract was purchased from Oklahoma earlier Monday, connected on a home run in the second inning for his first major league homer since September 26, 2007.

"You call that sudden impact," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "The last time he came up he did that here in Kansas City."

Cruz's offensive outburst was similar to a game at Kansas City last season when he hit two home runs and drove in five runs against the Royals on July 28 after a recall from Class AAA.

The Royals will turn to Zack Greinke (9-9, 3.86 ERA) in hopes of shutting down Cruz and the Rangers' top-ranked offense. The 24-year-old righthander has lost five of his last seven decisions.

Texas starter Kevin Millwood (7-7, 5.24) is coming off his second complete game of the campaign, yielding a run and six hits with four strikeouts over his 113-pitch outing.