Texas Rangers

Rangers, Red Sox set Opening Day lineups

Mike Napoli will be the Rangers' first baseman and Michael Young will be the designated hitter Opening Day against the Red Sox. Julio Borbon will be the starter in center field.

Manager Ron Washington said he wanted to put Young at first, but the lack of a third catcher forced Napoli to play first to give Washington flexibility should something cause Yorvit Torrealba out of the game.

Red Sox lineup: Jacoby Ellsbury, cf; Dustin Pedroia, 2b; Carl Crawford, lf; Kevin Youkilis, 3b; Adrian Gonzalez, 1b; David Ortiz, dh; Mike Cameron, rf; Jarrod Saltalamacchia, c; Marco Scutaro, ss.

Rangers lineup: Ian Kinsler, 2b; Elvis Andrus, ss; Josh Hamilton, lf; Adrian Beltre, 3b; Michael Young, dh; Nelson Cruz, rf; Mike Napoli, 1b; Yorvit Torrealba, c; Julio Borbon, cf.

-- Jeff Wilson

Video of Rangers AL Championship ring

Here's what you can expect on first Rangers homestand

Friday, April 1 – vs. Boston Red Sox – 3:05 p.m.  – FSSW-HD (TXA21 will rebroadcast at 7:00 p.m.)—OPENING DAY

• Parking Lots open at 10:00 a.m.
• Gates open at 12 noon

Saturday, April 2 – vs. Boston Red Sox – 7:15 p.m.  – FSSW-HD

• 2010 American League Championship Ring Ceremony—on-field at 6:30 p.m.
• Michaels Crafting at the Ballpark and Rangers 2011 Calendar Giveaway to all fans
• Ceremonial First Pitch by SSG Sal Giunta, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient

Sunday, April 3 – vs. Boston Red Sox – 1:05 p.m.  – FSSW-HD  -- Gates open at 11:00 a.m.

• Josh Hamilton Red T-Shirt presented by SmileGeneration.com Giveaway to youngsters 13 and under
• Dreyer’s $1 Ice Cream Sunday for kids ages 13 & under.
• Academy Girl Scout pre-game on-field parade
• Fans Run The Bases after the game

Monday, April 4 – vs. Seattle Mariners – 7:05 p.m. – FSSW-HD

• American League Championship Replica Ring Giveaway to all fans.

Tuesday, April 5 – vs. Seattle Mariners – 7:05 p.m. – FSSW-HD

• Thirsty Tuesdays - $1.00 off on select beverages

Wednesday, April 6 – vs. Seattle Mariners – 1:05 p.m. – FSSW-HD

• $1 Hot Dog Day
• Ozarka Website Wednesdays – tickets in several seating areas are available at half price when purchased on texasrangers.com.

Rangers eager to get off road

Myrtle Beach was different and Round Rock is just down the road from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. But nothing will feel better for the Rangers than to be home, which is where they'll be after flying back from Austin tonight.

"It's pretty weird," second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "Tomorrow we have the luncheon and it's kind of a whirlwind. We get started with Opening Day, which is always a circus. We just try and stay as calm as possible and use as least amount of energy as possible. We have to make sure we're well rested for the beginning of the season."

- Anthony Andro

An update on Rangers tickets for Red Sox series

In addition to Friday's game being a complete sell out, all reserved seats for Saturday's game are also gone. Here's a complete breakdown on what's left.

SATURDAY - All reserved seats have been sold. Obstructed view, scattered singles, and standing room tickets remain.

Standing room only tickets are priced at $15.00 each and may only be purchased at the ticket windows at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

SUNDAY —Approximately 3,000 reserved tickets remain.

90-95 victories and a division are Ryan's Rangers expectations

Rangers president Nolan Ryan doesn't want to get specific with the Rangers win total this year, but the number 90-95 is what he's expecting.

Ryan is also expecting the Rangers to repeat as the American League West champions. He doesn't feel like that's a goal out of reach for the defending American League champions.

"I try to be realistic and really believe that least year I felt like we were capable of winning our division," Ryan said. "I think that we're positioned better this year than last year at this time so my expectation are to win it."

- Anthony Andro

Rangers 6, Coastal Carolina 2

Alexi Ogando allowed one run in six innings, and Josh Hamilton and Michael Young had RBI singles as the Rangers won an exhibition game against Coastal Carolina University at BB&T Coastal Field in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The Rangers didn't have their first base runner until the fourth, when Ian Kinsler was grazed in the arm to start the inning. Hamilton provided the first hit, a one-out single to center that scored Kinsler. Michael Young followed two batters later with another run-scoring hit to center.

Ogando, who before the game was told he will be the Rangers' No. 5 starter to open the season, allowed three hits with four walks and five strikeouts. He said he had trouble getting fired up to face a college team, but eventually realized he had work to do.

"I felt good physically," said Ogando, who threw 81 pitches but never tried out the split-fingered pitch he is trying to add to his arsenal. "I had to overcome that I was playing a college team. Once I got going, I realized I just needed to go out there and pitch like I always do."

Kinsler said he enjoyed facing the Chanticleers, who hosted an NCAA Super Regional last year.

"You just remember being at that level and what you thought of the big leagues at the time," Kinsler said. "For them to have an opportunity to play against us, it was cool to be a part of it."

Coastal Carolina scored its final run in the ninth against All-Star closer Neftali Feliz, who needed 27 pitches to complete the inning. The Rangers settled the rest of their bullpen before the game, telling Mason Tobin, Mark Lowe and Pedro Strop that they had made the team.

Brett Tomko was reassigned to Triple A Round Rock and will be a starter there. Chris Davis, Taylor Teagarden and Craig Gentry were optioned to Round Rock before the game, leaving the Rangers with the 25 players they will have for Friday's season opener.

-- Jeff Wilson

Ryan: Ogando will be temporary starter

Texas Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan doesn’t see Alexi Ogando being a permanent fixture in the starting rotation. Instead, Ryan believes Ogando will spend the majority of the season in the bullpen once projected starters Tommy Hunter and Brandon Webb are able to contribute.

“I think with the needs of our bullpen, [Ogando] is going to need to be in the bullpen over the course of the year,” said Ryan, who attended a media event to unveil the new rightfield videoboard on Tuesday afternoon. “That’s what I would think unless he excels so well that it makes sense to leave him in that position.”

Ryan went on to say that he felt Ogando had the ability to start with his fastball and slider.

“He has the makeup,” Ryan said. “He’ll be fine. I don’t see him pitching in the late innings becaue of the fact of the role he played last year. And he’s really young from the perspective of baseball experience.”

Among other notable items included:

* C.J. Wilson was on hand, and said he is ready to go for opening day. He threw a 45-pitch bullpen session, and his left hamstring feels better.

* Tommy Hunter, sidelined with a groin injury, hasn’t done any baseball activity. He hopes he will be able to within a week. 

* Former Rangers Jeff Burroughs and Charlie Hough will throw out the first pitch on opening day.

-- Drew Davison

A behind-the-scenes look at the Rangers' new video boards

Here's a peek at the control room for the swanky new video boards at Rangers Ballpark.

-- Sarah Huffstetler

 

A 3-pound pretzel on the new menu at Rangers Ballpark? You're kidding

 

Apparently, it's no joke. The Rangers unveiled new concessions menus, among other things, during a "what's new" day on Tuesday at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. And this 3-pound pretzel is among the choices.

-- Sarah Huffstetler