The Rangers lost to the Giants, 6-4, on Wednesday in Surprise. The game was called after 5 innings due to rain and field conditions.
The contest is official and all statistics will count. Sam Travis hit a 2-run home run in the 2nd inning to score Scott Heineman, who tripled with one out in the frame. Travis has hit safely in all 8 games with a plate appearance this spring at 7-for-15 with 5 RBI. Heineman’s brother, Tyler, started at catcher for the Giants. Todd Frazier hit a 2-run double in the 3rd inning to cut the deficit to 6-4. He has homered, doubled, and recorded 3 RBI in his last 3 games. Texas was in a 4-run hole after the top of the 1st inning, as the Giants scored 4 runs on 5 hits off Joe Palumbo. Taylor Hearn and Luke Farrell each worked a scoreless inning in relief. Farrell has now logged 7.2 scoreless frames over 6 ‘A’ games this spring. Rougned Odor finished 2-for-2 with 2 singles and has a .355 batting average in Cactus League play.
Corey Kluber pitched in a minor league intrasquad game on Nolan Ryan Field (Field 1) at 10 a.m. in Surprise today, facing hitters from minor league camp. Kluber’s line: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R-1 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO, 1 HR, 89 pitches/55 strikes. His lone earned run allowed was a home run by Blaine Crim. Robinson Chirinos caught all 5 innings and recorded a single in 2 at-bats at the plate.
The Rangers have an off day on Thursday and return to action on Friday with split squad games against Kansas City (in Surprise at 8:05 p.m. CT) and Oakland (in Mesa at 9:05 p.m. CT). RHP Kyle Gibson (1-0, 0.00) will start the contest in Surprise against a Royals starter to be determined, while LHP Kolby Allard (1-0, 3.00) will take the hill in Mesa against Oakland RHP Frankie Montas (1-0, 0.00).