PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) _ Former Blue Jay Tom Evans hit a grand slam in a five-run second inning Friday as the Texas Rangers beat Toronto 9-5.

Toronto starter Nerio Rodriguez was tagged for five runs and four hits in two innings, including the drive by Evans.

Tony Batista's two-run homer off winner Joaquin Benoit tied it at 5.

Texas took a 7-5 lead in the bottom half off loser John Frascatore. Evans scored the go-ahead run from second when Willie Otanez's swipe tag at Jason McDonald on a pickoff at first was jarred loose and the ball ended up in the Texas dugout.

``I was throwing beach balls out there,'' Frascatore said.

David Segui and Felipe Lopez also homered for Toronto, while Jason McDonald also homered for Texas.

Lance Painter was the most effective of the Toronto pitchers, striking out five in two innings.

``Those will be few and far between,'' Painter said of his high number of strikeouts.

Notes: RHP Kelvim Escobar's first spring appearance was delayed another day because the left side of his neck still bothers him. ``Why go all the way to Port Charlotte for just one inning when I'm not 100 percent,'' said Escobar, who will attempt to pitch Saturday against the Phillies at Clearwater. ... Also missing the road trip was SS Alex Gonzalez, who pulled a quad muscle during Thursday's game.