(My Sportsbook) - Rafael Palmeiro hit his 500th career home run, a three-run blast to right field, to highlight the Texas Rangers' 17-10 victory over the Cleveland Indians at the Ballpark yesterday.

The 38-year-old Palmeiro, who blasted a 3-2 offering from Dave Elder in the home seventh, became the 19th player in the history of the majors to reach the milestone. He finished the day 2-for-5 with two runs scored.

Palmeiro, who had a double as well, also tied Al Oliver for 25th on the all- time doubles list with 529. With the three RBI, he also now has 1,600 for his career

The Rangers are the first team in MLB history to have members of the 300, 400, and 500 home run club. In addition to Palmeiro, Alex Rodriguez has 309 and Juan Gonzalez has 417.

Carl Everett went 2-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored for Texas, which avoided a sweep of this three-game set and saw its three-game losing streak halted.

Hank Blalock belted a career-high four hits, scored two runs and registered four RBI in the win. Ryan Christenson also homered in the victory for Texas.

Joaquin Benoit (1-0) picked up the win. He threw two scoreless innings with two strikeouts.

Texas will send righthander John Thomson to the mound on Tuesday in the opening game of a three-game set against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. In his most recent outing, Thomson went just 2 1/3 innings after allowing seven earned runs and eight hits, en route to a loss against the Indians.

Thomson's (2-4) first career start against Boston came earlier this season and was very effective. He went seven innings and allowed just one earned run, while striking out three in a victorious effort.