TEXAS RANGERS

Rangers 8, Indians 7

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:30:06 -0600

Left-hander Matt Harrison allowed one run in three innings to pick up his first victory over the spring. Harrison walked one and struck out two in becoming the first Texas starter to pitch three innings. David Murphy had two hits, including a two-run single in the second. Jarrod Saltalamacchia had a two-run double on his way to a 2 for 3 day. Omar Poveda pitched the final 1 2/3 innings fo the save.

Thomas Diamond struggles

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:02:07 -0600

The right-hander, hoping to earn a bullpen spot, didn't help his cause Monday. He was supposed to pitch an inning, but only lasted 2/3 of a frame. He did get plenty of work, facing nine batters. He allowed four runs, walking three and allowing four hits. Elizardo Ramirez got out of the inning, giving the Rangers an 8-5 lead.

Rangers lead 7-1

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:20:07 -0600

Matt Harrison became the first Texas pitcher to go three innings, allowing three hits and a run. David Murphy has an RBI single for the Rangers and and Jarrod Saltalamacchia a two-run double. Harrison struck out two and walked one.

Rangers lead 4-0 through 2

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:46:10 -0600

Matt Harrison allowed just one hit through two innings, and the offense erupted for six hits off Aaron Laffey in the second inning. David Murphy's two-run single to right got the offense going. Another run scored on a throwing error and crowd favorite Omar Vizquel singled home Chris Davis with a single to center. Davis had the hardest-hit ball of the inning, lining a single off the second-base umpire.

Rangers and Indians scoreless after one

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:22:06 -0600

It was six up, six down in the battle between lefties Matt Harrison and Aaron Laffey. Harrison got two grounders and a strikeout in the first. The bid for a Cleveland combined no-hitter came to an end with a leadoff double by Andruw Jones in the second inning. It's his second hit of the spring.

Want to see Nolan Ryan's seventh no-hitter?

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:20:08 -0600

Set your DVR for 1 p.m. today on the MLB Network and you can see the no-hitter against the Blue Jays on May 1, 1991.

Also, for those wondering, MLB Network will re-air the Josh Hamilton documentary at noon on Wednesday. I haven't watched the whole thing yet, but once I do, I'll blog about it.

Rangers pitching news, lineup

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 10:40:05 -0600

Actually, let's start with the pitching news: Kris Benson and Eddie Guardado have been scratched from their second spring appearances today with back ailments. Benson has a strained muscle in his lower back, but the club doesn't consider the injury to be anything significant. Guardado has a stiff back, and the club isn't worried because the left-hander seemingly has dealt with back stiffness the past, oh, six or seven years.

Today's lineup does not include Josh Hamilton, even though he attempted to convince manager Ron Washington to let him be the designated hitter. Washington, though is erring on the side of caution with Hamilton's sore Achilles tendon.

Today's lineup

Ian Kinsler, 2b
Omar Vizquel, ss
Michael Young, 3b
Andruw Jones, cf
Hank Blalock, DH
Marlon Byrd, rf
David Murphy, lf
Chris Davis, 1b
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, c

JJT: Shameless plug

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 10:25:28 -0600

Who would you pay to see play in DFW. Add your list to mine over here.

Q&A with Rudy Jaramillo on The Ticket

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:33:57 -0600

Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo was on the morning show on The Ticket (AM 1310). He had some interesting things to say about Andruw Jones (who he said will back cleanup) and Hank Blalock. He's also not concerned about Josh Hamilton's injury. Check it out:

Has anyone caught your eye as someone who's put in work in the off-season? Maybe a young player?

I think the one that comes to mind right off the bat is David Murphy. He's past that injury, been working out at the park in January and has brought it down here to spring training. The kid has really made adjustments, mentally he's more confident and stronger. He's been looking great. Nelson Cruz another guy who had a great winter and a good two months with us. I think it's kicking in that he trusts himself. He really believes he's a big league hitter and he showed that the last couple of months (last season) and this winter and he came down here to spring training and has continued to do the same thing. These guys that we had before, they still have window to get better and that's what I'm trying to do is help get that out of them.

What kind of hitter is Elvis Andrus?

I don't know that. He's going to answer that. I can't predict the future, but he's athletic and it's up to him. He's going to tell us what kind of hitter he's going to be and right now he's worked really hard to make some adjustments. He had a good day yesterday, he got a base hit and Ron put a hit and run and it was a great hit and run between first and second and got the guy to third. He's on the right track. We've just got to keep working him, keep his mind strong and good things will happen to him.

Should Scott Feldman be the fifth starter?

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 07:30:00 -0600

Manager Ron Washington sent a clear message early in spring that he had his rotation set, barring injuries. That included Scott Feldman in the fifth spot.

Spring training games have just begun, but Feldman did struggle in his debut. He allowed seven runs in the second inning against the Cubs on Friday.

His line: 1 2/3 innings pitched, nine hits, seven runs (four earned), two homers, one walk, one strickout.

Not good. He said he was getting his bad outing out of the way. I hope that's true, because he's easy to pull for and did what he could in giving the club innings last season.

But should it just be an open competition with the best pitcher from a group of guys like Feldman, Dustin Nippert, Kris Benson and Jason Jennings getting the fifth starter's job? I wouldn't throw Derek Holland or Neftali Feliz into that mix because I don't think they should start the season in Arlington.

Is Feldman the guy that should start the season as the fifth starter?

Rangers fall 13-6

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:42:05 -0600

Seattle scored four in the first against Vicente Padilla and added five more in the fifth off Brian Gordon in a Cactus League victory over the Rangers.

The Rangers tried to overcome a sloppy inning by Padilla, which included him walking in the Mariners' first run, by scoring single runs in each of the first three innings. Josh Hamilton drove in the first run on a triple, but he left the game after the inning with a strained left Achilles tendon.

Manager Ron Washington said he is likely to give Hamilton the day off Monday. That down time, coupled with an off day for the team Tuesday, should have Hamilton ready to go Wednesday against the Royals.

Offensively for the Rangers, shortstop Elvis Andrus was 2-for-2, Brandon Boggs had a two-run double in the ninth, and David Murphy had to settle for a run-scoring triple after just missing a two-run home run in the third.

-- Jeff Wilson

Josh Hamilton feels fine

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:40:04 -0600

Josh Hamilton was bouncing on his feet in the clubhouse Sunday, saying his left Achilles feels fine. Hamilton said it doesn't hurt, but it is a little tight. He said he still may play Monday against Cleveland.

Hamilton did not hurt the Achilles legging out his triple. He tweaked it getting a lead off third base after the at-bat.

Josh Hamilton hurts left Achilles

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:10:04 -0600

Josh Hamilton has a mild strain of his left Achilles, not his right. He was examined by team doctor Keith Meister. Hamilton is listed as day-to-day.

Josh Hamilton leaves game

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 14:52:03 -0600

Josh Hamilton left Sunday's game after one inning with tightness in his right Achilles. Hamilton, who had an RBI triple in the first, will be examined by Dr. Keith Meister.

Rangers injury news

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 11:24:05 -0600

A few injury items:

• Right-handed reliever Brendan Donnelly hasn't pitched in a spring game because of a right rhomboid muscle in his right shoulder. He was scheduled to play long toss today and could be cleared for a bullpen session.

• Right-hander Willie Eyre has been shut down with forearm stiffness. Assistant general manager Thad Levine said the training staff does not believe it is related to the injury that cost him all of last season, but is consistent with the effects of coming back from a long layoff.

• Jason Jennings threw 30 pitches during a simulated game this morning, and the club will evaluate how he feels tomorrow before sticking the right-hander in a spring game.

• Left-hander Kason Gabbard threw a bullpen session today. The next step could be a simulated game as he recovers from elbow surgery last season.

• Outfielder Brandon Boggs has been cleared to start playing the outfield. He has completed a throwing program for his sore right shoulder.

• Catcher Taylor Teagarden has the flu and has been told to stay home to prevent the bug from spreading.

• Infielder Omar Vizquel has a slight muscle strain on his right side that prevents him from hitting right-handed. He can play defense and will play today against right-handed pitching.

Non-injury related news:

• Infielder Joaquin Arias has left the team and returned to the Dominican Republic to be with his father, whose health is failing. There is not timetable for Arias' return.