Surprise Day 21

> Rangers 6, Cubs 5
Box / Recap / Star-Telegram / Morning News

Home runs carried the Rangers to their third win of the spring on Tuesday afternoon, a 6-5 triumph over the Chicago Cubs. Phil Nevin continued his strong play by belting his third home run in the sixth inning, and David Dellucci followed right after with a long ball of his own. Drew Meyer smashed a solo shot in the eighth inning as well.

Josh Rupe got the start and allowed two runs in three innings. Rupe gave up five hits and walked none, but he also failed to record a strikeout. Ron Mahay followed that up with two scoreless innings, though he was in trouble a lot and allowed three Cubs to reach base. Four different pitchers then pitched an inning each and gave up three runs overall, but the offense was able to keep pace and the Rangers got the victory.

Back in Surprise, Francisco Cordero got in a bullpen session and threw for twelve minutes, mixing in sliders and changeups. Ryan Bukvich and Brian Anderson are making extremely good progress in their recovery from major surgery. Both pitchers are ahead of schedule and hope to be in Arlington at some point later this season. Hank Blalock saw action in the game against Chicago as the designated hitter as he tries to get rid of some soreness in his shoulder.

Tomorrow the Rangers will be split squad as half of the team plays in the game that will count against the Kansas City Royals and the other half will take on Japan later in the evening. Japan is coming off a tough loss to Korea in the World Baseball Classic.

> Thursday, March 9, 2006
Kansas City Royals @ Texas Rangers
2:05, Surprise Stadium, no TV, no radio
Scott Elarton (0-0, 15.00 ERA) vs. Adam Eaton (0-0, 7.71 ERA)