ARLINGTON -- Rangers shortstop Jurickson Profar made his first career start at cleanup on Tuesday and delivered the big blow of the night in his first at-bat.
Profar smashed a three-run home run off Yankees starter Domingo German that helped send the Rangers to a 6-4 victory at Globe Life Park.
Profar stepped to the plate with two on and one out in the first after Isiah Kiner-Falefa reached on an infield single and Nomar Mazara drew a walk. With the count 1-1, German threw a 95-mph fastball that Profar smashed over the center-field fence. The exit velocity was a robust 108 mph to get an estimated distance of 411 feet.
"He put a great swing, probably one of the better swings we have seen from him all year," manager Jeff Banister said. "It was short and quick to the ball, got out quickly."
Profar's third home run of the season was the 56th of the season for the Rangers, but only the fifth with two men on base.
Banister used Profar at cleanup because Delino DeShields was getting the night off (although he would enter as a defensive replacement late in the game). Banister moved Shin-Soo Choo to the leadoff spot and wanted Kiner-Falefa and Mazara to follow him, so he slid Profar between Mazara and Joey Gallo.
"I talked to Banny, I told him [that] anywhere in the lineup is good," Profar said. "You can hit ninth and come up with the bases loaded."
Three innings later, Ronald Guzman connected on Texas' 57th homer, a solo shot for his second long ball in as many games after hitting two in his first 27. The homer left his bat with an exit velocity of 102.9 mph and traveled an estimated 378 feet.

"I don't consider myself a power hitter," Guzman said. "I'm just trying to have good at-bats. I know the power is there, but I don't think about it. Just let the power come."