PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) _ Ivan Rodriguez hit two solo home runs and Doug Davis pitched five hitless innings as the Texas Rangers beat the New York Yankees 6-5 Friday.

Chuck Knoblauch made his spring debut in left field for the Yankees, catching the only fly ball that came his way.

The Rangers won the game in the bottom of the ninth inning on a two-run homer by Craig Monroe, his second of the spring, off Todd Williams.

Rodriguez, who came into the game hitting .176, connected for his second and third home runs of the spring off Yankees starter Sid Fernandez. Rodriguez also threw out a runner attempting to steal.

``Other than the two home runs, I'm pretty happy,'' Fernandez said. ``I feel pretty good now, and I hope I pitch again. Every time I good out there, I'm better. That's what I'm looking for.''

Fernandez worked four innings, allowing three hits and two runs. He walked two and struck out three in his fifth appearance of the spring after not pitching in the major leagues since 1997.

``I thought his outing was pretty good,'' Yankees pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre said. ``Had a good curveball, got it over and got outs on his curveball.''

Although no final determination has been reached, Yankees manager Joe Torre said Fernandez, who would likely work out of the bullpen, might begin the season with Triple-A Columbus.

``It may not be something we have for the start of the season, but it's an option for us,'' Torre said. ``Sid was fine. We're not sure he's going to have the arm strength that he's going to need now. It's looking promising.''

Davis walked four and struck out six.

Alfonso Soriano, who replaced Knoblauch at second base, got the first hit for the Yankees, an infield single with one out in the sixth inning off Texas reliever Jeff Zimmerman.

Held to one hit during the first seven innings, the Yankees rallied for two runs in the eighth inning and three more in the ninth inning to take a 5-4 lead.

Texas closer Tim Crabtree got the win despite allowing two runs in the ninth innings, including a solo homer by Michael Coleman.

Notes: Before the game, the Rangers announced they would move their spring training site to Surprise, Ariz., for the spring of 2003. They will share the complex with the Kansas City Royals. The Rangers will remain in Port Charlotte for spring training in 2002.