The Rangers showed no rust Thursday in their first of 31 official Cactus League games, and they didn’t cut the Royals any slack either, pounding them 13-3 at the spring training complex in Surprise, Ariz that both teams share.
The Rangers put together two four-run innings, one in the second and one in the ninth, both of which were punctuated by 3-run homers. The first long ball came courtesy of Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who is vying for the job as starting catcher again in his return from thoracic outlet syndrome that cut his season to 83 games in 2009. After a hard single on the ground from right fielder Nelson Cruz and a walk by first baseman Chris Davis, Saltalamacchia connected on a 2-2 pitch from Royals’ starter Kyle Davies. An off-target throw from Saltalamacchia led to the Royals taking an early lead, but it was quickly erased by the homer.
Two batters later, Julio Borbon doubled and Michael Young singled him in for a 4-1 advantage. Along with the two-bagger, Borbon singled and stole a base to lead off the game. Just what the leadoff hitter is supposed to do.
The second four-run inning came in the ninth with a totally different lineup. The switcheroo is more than common in spring training games. The starters played about half the game and then gave way to the players truly fighting for roster spots. Up 10-3 in the ninth, shortstop Joaquin Arias reached on what was scored an error on Falu at second base for the Royals. Center fielder Craig Gentry singled. Third baseman Matt Brown provided the exclamation point for the rout when he hammered the ball over the Royals’ bullpen.
The Rangers also scored two runs in the eighth on hits from Brown. Chad Tracy, Mitch Moreland and Esteban German. Moreland, the #8 prospect in Baseball America, had three hits in three at-bats and two RBIs. One run crossed the plate in the second, third and sixth innings.
The Rangers looked at seven pitchers during the game. All of them saw one inning of action, except for starter Rich Harden and reliever Doug Mathis, who pitched two frames. Mathis surrendered an earned run. The other two Royals’ runs were unearned. The Royals sent five pitchers to the mound, four for two-inning stints, and they all left with already bloated ERA’s for the exhibition season.
Notably, Harden usually averages speeds in the 90’s but only got to a mid-80’s velocity today. Tanner Scheppers’ fastball, on the other hand, registered between 96 - 98 mph. Josh Hamilton did not play as he is being careful with the bruised shoulder he suffered in the first workout.
Happy Birthday to Tom Grieve, who has been with the Rangers in various capacities since their first season in Texas in 1972.
Rangers Lineup
CF Julio Borbon (replaced by Craig Gentry)
3B Michael Young (replaced by Matt Brown)
LF David Murphy (replaced by Chad Tracy)
DH Vladimir Guerrero (replaced by Mitch Moreland)
2B Ian Kinsler (replaced by Esteban German)
RF Nelson Cruz (replaced by Brandon Boggs)
1B Chris Davis (replaced by Justin Smoak)
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (replaced by Max Ramirez)
SS Elvis Andrus (replaced by Joaquin Arias)
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