ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) _ With Jamie Moyer and Freddy Garcia on the Seattle disabled list, Paul Abbott made his first start of the season for the Mariners against a Texas lineup averaging 11 runs in four games.

Abbott gave manager Lou Piniella he was looking for, pitching 5 2-3 effective innings in the 13-3 victory Tuesday night.

``We were hoping to get him through six,'' Piniella said. ``I thought he pitched very well. He had a really good changeup and a good fastball. We knew he could start for us, and now he's in the rotation.''

Abbott (1-0) allowed three runs and five hits, with five strikeouts and four walks.

``Abby provided a big push for us,'' said Mike Cameron, who got the Mariners off to a good start with a homer leading off the game. ``They've got guys over there who can drive in a lot of runs. He kept us in the ball game.''

The Mariners gave Abbott plenty of support as Alex Rodriguez was 4-for-5 with a three-run homer and four RBIs, and David Bell drove in three runs.

``We're a little different team,'' Rodriguez said. ``We're not going to hit as many home runs, but we walk more and we're more of a strategic hitting team.''

Rodriguez hit his ninth homer of the season in the second off Esteban Loaiza (1-2), putting the Mariners ahead 6-0.

``I've been dissatisfied with my performance lately,'' Rodriguez said. ``I've been dragging a little. So this is something to build on.''

Bell, Mark McLemore and Carlos Guillen each had three hits for Seattle, which had 19 in all.

Loaiza was pounded for eight runs and nine hits in 2 2-3 innings. His ERA rose to 4.99.

``Our kids came out swinging the bats,'' Piniella said. ``We scored early and often. From a hitting standpoint, I like our team. I'd like to see us be a little more consistent.''

After Cameron's homer, Edgar Martinez added a two-run double to give the Mariners a 3-0 lead in the first.

``When we get off to a good start, that puts the pressure on the other team,'' Cameron said. ``We were all able to put some consistent at-bats together.''

After Rodriguez's homer chased Loaiza, Guillen and Cameron hit run-scoring singles off Matt Perisho for an 8-0 lead in the third.

``It was one of those nights,'' Loaiza said. ``I tried to keep the ball low, but a lot of stuff got up. One mistake was a slider to Rodriguez that stayed in, and he took advantage of it.''

Bell homered off Perisho in the fifth for a 10-0 lead, but David Segui hit a two-run single in the sixth and Rob Ramsay, who relieved, walked Mike Lamb with the bases loaded.

Seattle added three in the seven on Bell's run-scoring single, Guillen's RBI double and Rodriguez's run-scoring single.

Notes: Cameron's homer was the fourth of his career leading off a game. ... Loaiza has allowed a career-high eight runs three times. ... The Rangers won six of their previous eight games. ... In the last two seasons, Abbott is 8-3 as a spot starter. He is 2-0 with a 2.88 ERA in seven career games against the Rangers. ... Texas pitchers allowed at least 10 runs for the third time in the last five games and have an 8.00 ERA over that span.