The Rangers beat the Giants, 7-5 in Scottsdale today, improving the club’s record to 3-0-1 this spring. The Texas offense matched a spring high with 16 hits, as batters have a .364 average and .418 on-base percentage while averaging 6.5 runs per game after the first 4 contests. Mitch Moreland had a double, walk, and 3 RBI today, and he has reached safely in 5 of his last 7 plate appearances (2 doubles, 3 walks). Nomar Mazara hit an RBI single in the 3rd inning and he has hit safely in each of his 3 games to begin the spring at 6-for-9 with a team-high 5 RBI. Jurickson Profar hit an RBI single in the 3rd inning, and he has a hit, walk, and run in each of his 2 games/starts. Pedro Ciriaco went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and 2 runs scored. Lewis Brinson singled, walked, and scored once, and he has hits and runs in both of his Cactus League contests. Nick Martinez recorded 2.0 shutout innings, and relievers Andrew Faulkner and Tony Barnette each posted a scoreless frame. Opponents have hit just .184 against Texas pitching over the first 4 games. Mac Williamson homered twice for the Giants, as he scored and/or drove in 4 of his club’s 5 runs for the day.
Texas hosts the Seattle Mariners tomorrow in Surprise for a 2:05 p.m. CDT game. RHP Nick Tepesch (0-0, 0.00) will face M’s RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (first game). There will be a radio broadcast of the game on 105.3 The Fan in the DFW market, with Eric Nadel and Matt Hicks calling the action.
