The Rangers won their spring-high 4th straight game on Thursday night in Surprise, defeating the visiting Cincinnati Reds by a 12-9 margin. Texas posted its 2nd-highest run total of the spring (17-5 win on 3/10 at SEA) and more than doubled its previous high in Surprise (5 runs).
Khris Davis hit 2 home runs tonight, finishing 3-for-4 with 4 RBI. He hit a solo home run in the 2nd and added a 3-run blast in a 6-run 6th inning to give the Rangers an 11-9 lead at the time. It was the 2nd multi-homer game by a Ranger this spring (Jason Martin on 3/10 at SEA) and the 3 hits matched the team’s single-game high this spring (3rd time). Davis has now hit 3 home runs in the last 2 days, as he also went deep in a ‘B’ game on Wed. at CLE.
Leody Taveras (2-for-4, 3B, 2 RBI) and Nate Lowe (1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, BB) also drove in multiple runs for Texas, which trailed by 4 runs at 3 different points in the game. Taveras is 6-for-15 with 4 extra-base hits (3 2B, 3B) during his current 4-game hitting streak. Lowe’s 2-run double capped a 3-run 5th inning. Charlie Culberson (1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB) and Eli White (2 BB, RBI, HBP, 2 R, SB) both reached base in 3 of their 5 plate appearances.
Texas starter Mike Foltynewicz (2.0 IP, 6 R-3 ER) allowed home runs to Tyler Naquin and Jonathan India, and three of his runs were unearned due to his own throwing error committed on a sacrifice bunt attempt. He was removed from the game with 2 outs in the 2nd inning and returned for the 3rd, the first time for the Rangers to utilize the spring training rule that allows for pitchers who are removed to re-enter at a later point in the same game. Jose Leclerc (win, 1.2 IP), Alex Speas (1.0 IP), and Jharel Cotton (save, 1.0 IP) each logged scoreless relief efforts. Leclerc allowed a pair of inherited runners to score, but struck out 2 of his final 3 batters faced. The trio of relievers set down each of the final 7 Reds batters to close out the win.
The Rangers travel to Glendale on Friday for a 3:05 p.m. CT contest against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The game was originally scheduled for 8:05 p.m. CT, but was moved up due to field lighting system failure at Camelback Ranch. RHP Kyle Cody (0-0, 6.75) is slated to start against Dodgers LHP Julio Urias (1-1, 2.84).
From Rangers PR staff reports