Rangers 5, Orioles 1: Ryan Dempster rebounded from a disastrous start by tossing eight strong innings as American League West-leading Texas began a 10-game homestand with its fourth win in five contests.

Dempster (2-1), who was tagged for eight runs in a loss to the New York Yankees on Aug. 13, limited the Orioles to a run and four hits. The veteran right-hander, who walked two and struck out six, retired the last 11 batters he faced.

After Baltimore took a 1-0 lead on Adam Jones' RBI single in the first inning, Texas rallied for three runs in the fourth to move ahead for good. David Murphy and Geovany Soto delivered back-to-back RBI singles and Ian Kinsler capped the uprising two batters later with a sacrifice fly.

Nelson Cruz added a run-scoring double in the fifth and Murphy completed the scoring in the eighth with his second RBI single for the Rangers, who have won nine of 11 meetings with the Orioles since the beginning of last season.

Joe Nathan struck out the side in the ninth to complete the four-hitter as Texas opened up a six-game lead on Oakland in the American League West.

Despite the loss, the Orioles maintained their hold on the second wild card spot after Oakland's 7-2 loss to Minnesota later Monday.

Miguel Gonzalez (5-3) had his personal three-game winning streak snapped as he surrendered four runs and eight hits over five innings. The 28-year-old had yielded a total of three runs in 21 frames over his previous three starts.

Jones recorded two of the four hits by Baltimore, which had won 11 of 15 overall and four of five on the road.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Baltimore DH Jim Thome will begin his rehab for a herniated disk in his neck Wednesday in Sarasota, Fla. The slugger potentially could start a minor-league rehab assignment next week if all goes well. ... Rangers OF Leonys Martin was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock to make room for Dempster, who was activated from the restricted list. Martin went 0-for-1 with a walk in two games over the weekend. ... Texas C Mike Napoli, who is on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring, took batting practice before Monday's game. However, there is no timetable for his return.