The Rangers won their second straight game, topping the Cincinnati Reds, 12-5, on Thursday afternoon in Surprise. Texas belted a spring-high 5 home runs in the win, accounting for 11 of the club’s 12 runs. Adrian Beltre had a double in the first inning and hit the first home run of the day with a 3-run shot in 3rd. Justin Ruggiano hit the first of his 2 home runs on the day with a 2-run homer in 4th inning. Ruggiano added his 2nd long ball of the day in his next at-bat in the 6th inning. Mitch Moreland also went deep in the 6th inning, hitting his first home run of the spring. Minor league reserve Ronald Guzman hit the 5th and final home run of the day with a 3-run shot to right field in the 7th inning. James Jones went 2-for-5 with a pair of runs scored and a RBI. On the mound, Chi Chi Gonzalez held the Reds scoreless on one hit over 5.0 innings of work. The Reds did not score until the 7th inning, ending the Texas pitching staff’s 15.0-inning scoreless streak that included yesterday’s shutout of the Cubs. Jake Diekman worked a 1-2-3 8th inning and has totaled 3.0 scoreless innings in A games this spring.
Texas will play again tonight in a night game against the Oakland Athletics at 9:05 p.m. CDT in Mesa. RHP A.J. Griffin starts for Texas opposite Oakland’s LHP Felix Doubront. Matt Hicks and Dave Raymond will call the action in the night contest on 105.3 The Fan.
The Rangers will host the San Diego Padres on Friday in Surprise at 8:05 CDT with LHP Cole Hamels on the mound for Texas and RHP Tyson Ross for the Friars. The game will be broadcast on 105.3 The Fan with Matt Hicks and Dave Raymond calling the action.
