In Arizona this afternoon, the Rangers fell to the Seattle Mariners, 7-1, at Peoria Stadium. Prince Fielder and Ian Desmond each had a double in 2 plate appearances. Fielder is 5-for-8 with 2 double, a home run, and a walk in his last 4 games and has reached via hit or walk in 7 straight. Desmond has now reached via hit, walk, or HBP in 8 of 11 games with Texas this spring at .391 (9-23). 17-year-old Leody Taveras added a double in the 8th inning, his first U.S. plate appearance outside of the fall instructional league. The Rangers used a quartet of pitchers from minor league camp in the contest. Right-hander Pedro Payano retired 8 of 10 batters faced with 3 strikeouts.
Texas opens Big League Weekend with the Royals tonight in a 7:00 CDT first pitch at the Alamodome. LHP Derek Holland (2-1, 1.04) starts for Texas, while RHP Dillon Gee (1-0, 1.80) starts for the Royals. The game will be televised by Fox Sports Southwest Plus, with Ryan Lefebvre and Tom Grieve in the booth. Eric Nadel and Dave Raymond will call the action on 105.3 The Fan.
The Rangers will play a pair of games again on Saturday. In Arizona, The Rangers travel to Scottsdale for a 3:10 CDT contest with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields. RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez (1-0, 0.00) starts for Texas opposite Arizona’s Zack Greinke (0-0, 3.12). There is no broadcast available for the game in Arizona. The Rangers will also conclude Big League Weekend against the Royals in San Antonio with a 2:00 CDT first pitch at the Alamodome. RHP A.J. Griffin (0-1, 4.76) starts for Texas, while RHP Chien-Ming Wang (0-0, 1.50) starts for Kansas City. The game will be televised by Fox Sports Southwest, with Ryan Lefebvre and Tom Grieve in the booth. Eric Nadel and Dave Raymond will call the action on 105.3 The Fan.
