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Texas Rangers Split Early Week Games

By Kenneth Nash

Sep 16, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nick Tepesch (23) throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the second inning at O.co Coliseum. The Texas Rangers defeated the Oakland Athletics 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nick Tepesch (23) throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the second inning at O.co Coliseum. The Texas Rangers defeated the Oakland Athletics 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Texas Rangers played two games between Sunday and Monday, splitting them but maintaining their promising performances.

Sunday vs. Mariners:

On Sunday, the Texas Rangers took on division rivals, the Seattle Mariners, as they enter the second week of March. The Rangers fell to Seattle 7-3, suffering their first loss of the Spring Training season.

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Nick Tepesch made the mound appearance for the Rangers as he makes his case for the possible 5th spot in Texas’ rotation. Tepesch struggled on the mound giving up 3 hits on 4 hits in 2 innings. Tepesch cites his inability to get ahead in counts as the biggest instigator of his struggles on the bump. Nick also had trouble dictating the Mariners ability to run on the base path surrendering 4 steals in his 2 innings of work.

Outfield prospect, Nomar Mazara, continued to make a case for consideration for a roster spot going 1-2 against Seattle with an RBI after replacing Shin-Soo Choo in right field. Ian Desmond got the start in left field but went 0-2 at the plate before being replaced by Patrick Kivlehan. Adrian Beltre made his second appearance of Spring Training and went 1-2 with a double against Seattle pitcher Justin De Fratus.

Monday vs. Giants:

Monday, the Rangers took on Jake Peavy and the San Francisco Giants in Surprise as they looked to bounce back from the previous day’s loss. Texas was able to rally in the bottom of the ninth for 3 runs to take a 6-5 win from San Francisco.

Colby Lewis made his second start of Spring Training and went 3 innings giving up 2 runs on 5 hits as well as striking out 1 and giving up a homerun. His Spring Training ERA across 5 innings is a 3.60 and a good sign is his strike percentage getting the ball in the zone over 65% of the time. Heading into the season, Lewis is going to give up runs but as long as he can keep games manageable, he’ll be doing exactly what the Texas Rangers need him to do.Anthony Raunado surrendered the other 3 runs with 2 of those being earned through 2.2 innings.

The Rangers put together a 14 hit campaign against San Fran, with Ryan Rua leading the way in the DH spot, going 3-3 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI. Drew Stubbs got the start in center for Texas and went 0-2 with a walk before being replaced by top prospect Lewis Brinson. Brinson went 1-2 on Monday taking his Spring Training average to .429. Young infielder, Jurickson Profar, went 0-2 with a walk as the starting shortstop for the Rangers.

Ian Desmond, currently in a transition to left field, has yet to get a fly ball chance across 15 innings in the outfield so defensively he’s not in a place where he can be evaluated in game.

Injury Report

Ranger pitcher, Jeremy Guthrie, received clearance to return to pitching from the lower back stiffness that caused him to be scratched from an appearance last week.

Shawn Tolleson who’s dealing with back spasms has been throwing from up to 120 feet as of Monday. Yu Darvish also threw his 4th bullpen with no problems as he battles back from Tommy John surgery.

Up Next:

The Rangers will take on division rival, Oakland, today at 2:05pm with Derek Holland making the start.

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