Spring Training Game #14: Diamonbacks-15, Rangers-12
I lost game 13 somewhere along the line, which was a Ranger win btw, so we'll go on to game 14.
The Diamondbacks struck first scoring 5 combined runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings, all off Ranger starter Robinson Tejeda who lasted just 2.2 innings. Texas was trailing 5-0 going into the 4th inning when the offensive floodgates opened. The Rangers bombed Arizona starter Edgar Gonzalez and reliever Casey Daigle for 9 runs in the inning including homeruns by Sammy Sosa and Gerald Laird. Laird's blast was with 2 outs and of the 3-run variety. The Rangers took a 9-5 lead. Both teams were scoreless in the 5th, but in the 6th the Diamondbacks brought out the bats hammering the Rangers for 10 runs in the inning. Josh Rupe allowed 8 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks in the game and Rick Bauer allowed the other 2 runs of the inning, which also including a 2-out grand slam by Tony Clark. The D-Backs took a 15-9 lead at that point. The scoring wasn't over yet though as the Rangers tacked on 3 more runs in the 7th including Kevin Mahar's first homerun of the spring. The Rangers pulled to within 3 runs at 15-12 but Arizona reliever Tony Pena shut down Texas for the final 2 innings sealing the win for the D-Backs.
Offensive Highlights:
Former D-Back, Matt Kata went 3 for 5 with 3 runs batted in.
Jerry Hairston went 2 for 3 with a triple and drove in 2 runs.
Sammy Sosa hit his 3rd homerun of the spring.
Gerald Laird went 2 for 3 with his 2nd homerun, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI.
Drew Meyer went 2 for 3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.
Spring Training Record: 8-6