Texas Rangers

Rangers Chris Davis BP video

Despite Chris Davis being mean to me today, I still shot video of him. He messed up my hair this morning, and then when I put on a nice Texas A&M cap, he ripped it off my head in jealously of the Aggies. Yet I still want to give his fans a clip. So here it is. It was not easy.

- Anthony Andro

 

Video of Rangers manager Ron Washington talking rotation

Here is the manager talking about the decision to put Matt Harrison, Tommy Hunter and Derek Holland in the Texas starting rotation.

- Anthony Andro

 

Another story on Rangers manager Ron Washington

Here's a link of the new D Magazine story on Washington.

Hunter, Holland, Harrison complete Rangers rotation

Rangers manager Ron Washington said right-hander Tommy Hunter, left-hander Matt Harrison and left-hander Derek Holland will be in the Rangers rotation to open the season.

Washington said right-hander Neftali Feliz pitched well enough to win a rotation spot, but that the team needed him to be the closer for now. Feliz was scheduled to start a game tonight but will pitch an inning in relief instead.

Washington also said five of the bullpen spots have been locked down. Joining Feliz in the bullpen are Alexi Ogando, Darren O'Day, Arthur Rhodes and Darren Oliver.

That leaves the Rangers needed two relievers, a right-hander and a long man.

The Rangers also sent left-hander Michael Kirkman to Triple A camp and sent lefty Zach Jackson to the minors. Washington said he expects Jackson to start in Triple A.

- Anthony Andro

Rangers set to announce rotation today

The Rangers told left-hander Michael Kirkman that he would be going to Round Rock this morning, taking another candidate out of the running for the starting rotation.

The Rangers are expected to announce the remainder of the rotation before today's game against Cincinnati.

The four candidated for the final three spots are Tommy Hunter, Matt Harrison, Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz. Both Hunter and Feliz are pitching today.

- Anthony Andro

Diamondbacks 9, Rangers 8

Matt Harrison allowed three earned runs in six innings, Arthur Rhodes allowed a grand slam to Russell Branyan in the seventh inning, and Branyan brought home the the winning run in the ninth inning against Alexi Ogando.

Harrison sailed through five innings before a one-out error on Michael Young gave Arizona life. Harrison walked the next two hitters, and Chris Young had a two-run double as Arizona scored four times in the sixth. Harrison, though, was pleased with his 86-pitch outing.

"Overall it was a very good day," he said. "I saw the results of getting ahead in the count, and if I can keep doing that, I'll be all right."

An infield hit and a questionable fielding decision by Ian Kinsler got Rhodes off to a bad start in the seventh. After an out and a walk, Branyan put Arizona ahead 8-7 with a shot to center field.

Darren Oliver delivered a scoreless eighth, and Mitch Moreland tied the game with an RBI single. But the first two Arizona hitters reached in the ninth, and Branyan followed with a single as Ogando was making his first relief appearance of the spring after getting moved to the bullpen Wednesday morning.

-- Jeff Wilson

Rangers Matt Harrison on his No. 1 fan

It's not hard to find Matt Harrison's wife, Meghan, each time he pitches. Just listen for the loudest fan.

How loud is she? Josh Hamilton and David Murphy could hear her encouraging words and occasional critique of plate umpire Brian Knight from the outfield Wednesday at Surprise Stadium. Umpires in the past have asked Harrison, "Is your wife here today?"

"She gets on me, too," he said.

Harrison, though, doesn't want her to change her ways. In fact, he has given her things to yell that might help him if things aren't going well. She encouraged him to slow down his delivery during a tough sixth inning, and he got the final two outs.

"As long as she isn't cussing out fans and getting in fights, I'm all right," Harrison said. "She's an outgoing girl. I think we equal each other out because I don't say [anything]."

-- Jeff Wilson

Rangers Josh Hamilton BP video

Here's an old fan favorite, a little clip of Josh Hamilton taking batting practice.

- Anthony Andro

 

Rangers Nelson Cruz BP video

Just before he showed off his nice ability to do a forward roll, Nelson Cruz took a round of BP and was focused on going the opposite way. If you listen to the audio, hitting coach Thad Bosley liked what he saw.

- Anthony Andro

Rangers Mark Lowe live BP video

Texas right-hander Mark Lowe, who's grip on a bullpen spot is in jeopardy, worked on things during live BP this morning. The background commentary is provided courtesy of Matt Treanor.

- Anthony Andro