Spring Training Capsules: Cruz rewarding Rangers for their patience

SURPRISE, Ariz. — The success Nelson Cruz had in his first full season for the Texas Rangers was evident by the outfielder’s selection to the All-Star team and Home Run Derby last summer.

More telling of the emerging slugger’s growth was what he told the organization’s younger players in the Dominican Republic this winter after Rangers officials asked a few big leaguers to share their experiences.

"He told the guys the ability to get an opportunity is about talent, your ability to succeed is about your mental approach and your mental strength," general manager Jon Daniels said. "To hear that from Nellie talking to all these young kids, it really stood out to me how much he’s matured, how much he’s learned."

Cruz certainly spoke from experience.

Two years ago, Cruz didn’t even make the Rangers’ roster out of spring training. No other team claimed him off waivers, and he was sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma.

Instead of wallowing through his 10th professional season, Cruz responded with an MVP season in the Pacific Coast League, hitting .342 with 37 home runs, 99 RBIs and 24 stolen bases in 103 games for the RedHawks.

When he rejoined the Rangers for the final six weeks of that 2008 season, he was finally able to translate his success onto the big-league level. He hit .330 with seven homers and 26 RBIs in 31 games.

Cruz’s 33 home runs last season were the most ever by a Rangers player in his first full season, and he was third in the American League with one homer every 14 at-bats. He made it to the final round of the Home Run Derby, where he was runner-up to Prince Fielder.

After hitting .260 with 20 stolen bases in 128 games to become only the fifth Texas player with a 30-homer/20-steal season, Cruz is without question the starting right fielder. He likely will hit sixth in a Rangers lineup that added Vladimir Guerrero in the cleanup spot and switched Ian Kinsler from leading off to hitting fifth.

"I appreciate the patience (the Rangers) have and I always thank God for the opportunity," Cruz said. "When you have bad years, you go back and keep working harder and everything is coming through now."

The Rangers acquired Cruz with Carlos Lee from Milwaukee in July 2006. Lee left as a free agent at the end of that season.

Cruz made his first opening day roster in 2007, struggled early and went back to Oklahoma, where he hit .352 with 15 homers and 45 RBIs in 44 games. He hit only .235 with nine homers in 96 games for the Rangers, then by the end of the following spring was available for any team that wanted him.

This spring, the 29-year-old Cruz knows he can concentrate on getting ready for the season without worrying about what might happen.

"Definitely, it’s everything different" Cruz said. "I’m more comfortable now."

Manager Ron Washington has noticed how much more focused and relaxed Cruz is this spring.

"He’s been workmanlike in the way he’s been going about his business," Washington said. "He’s been a breath of fresh air. He’s been very loud out there, something Nellie don’t do, he’s usually quiet. He’s having fun, cracking jokes, enjoying himself. That’s the state we need him in. We know what his ability is."

Cruz hit his first homer of the spring Monday night. He hit .417 (10 for 24) with three doubles and seven RBIs through his first nine spring training games.

"More than the numbers or anything else, I’m really impressed with his focus and how calm he is this spring. Talent has never been a question," Daniels said. "The ability is undeniable. It was just a matter of finding that consistent level. We saw signs of that last year."

Hamilton’s hand is fine, tooth is hurting

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton’s left hand is OK after being hit by a pitch. Now he has a toothache.

Hamilton arrived at the Rangers clubhouse Tuesday morning with a swollen face, and then went to the dentist for what is believed to be an infected tooth.

Hamilton was hit by a pitch on the top of his left hand in Monday night’s game against San Francisco. X-rays were negative and he didn’t have any kind of wrap on his hand Tuesday. Hamilton says it’s fine.

Hamilton already had a scheduled day off Tuesday when the Rangers traveled to Mesa to face the Chicago Cubs.

Silva pitches 4 shutout innings, Cubs beat Rangers

MESA, Ariz. — Carlos Silva is telling everyone — including his mother — that he is back to being an effective major league pitcher.

"I talk to my mother before and after (every) game, and the message I sent to her said: ‘The way that I feel today, I don’t feel for a long, long time. Today, I feel like it was me,"’ said Silva, whose four shutout innings Tuesday led the Chicago Cubs to a 4-1 victory over the Texas Rangers.

When the Cubs wanted to send Milton Bradley to Seattle, Silva was the high-priced underachiever the Mariners insisted Chicago take in the deal.

The Cubs hoped he’d pitch as he did during his four seasons in Minnesota and not his two years in Seattle — where at 5-18 with a 7.01 ERA, Silva was one of the worst starters in baseball.

After getting pounded in his first spring outing, he has pitched seven straight scoreless innings. Silva, who has two years and $25 million left on his contract, was especially strong Tuesday, limiting Texas to two hits and striking out three.

"You can’t throw the ball better than he did today," manager Lou Piniella said. "Boy, he made it look relatively easy."

Now Silva is closing in on a spot in the Cubs’ rotation.

"I’m very competitive. I want to make the rotation. But the only thing I want to do is help this team," Silva said. "Deep inside, I want to say I feel good about the way I pitch."

One Texas pitcher, C.J. Wilson, also came out of Tuesday’s game feeling good.

After allowing one run and three hits and striking out five in four innings, the 29-year-old left-hander seemed almost a lock for a spot in the Rangers’ rotation.

"Well, he’s looking great," manager Ron Washington said. "You can’t take anything away from what he’s done. We just haven’t gotten to the point yet where we’re ready to make an announcement."

Wilson, who pitched the fifth through eighth innings, began the eighth by giving up Tyler Colvin’s single and Xavier Nady’s double. Wilson stranded both runners by retiring the next three hitters on easy grounders.

"I just got (ticked) off," he said. "I told myself, ‘I’m not going to let them score."’

An inning earlier, he gave up Jeff Baker’s homer. The other three Chicago runs came in the third off starter Neftali Feliz, a 21-year-old righty who is a longshot to make the rotation.

Nady had a two-run double off Feliz and Marlon Byrd followed with an RBI single against his former team.

There were 23 strikeouts in the game, 12 by Texas batters. Chris Davis, whose .538 average entering the game was the highest in spring exhibitions among all qualifiers, struck out three times. Texas is batting .185 in losing its last four games.

NOTES: Cubs LHP Ted Lilly (offseason shoulder surgery) could be back well before May 1 that had been mentioned often by Piniella. Lilly is scheduled to pitch batting practice Thursday and then again a few days later. He’d then work a simulated game. After that would come a spring exhibition outing, followed by two minor-league starts. With no setbacks, Piniella said, Lilly could be pitching for the Cubs by mid-April. ... Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler, out since Friday with a sprained right ankle, is expected to miss at least another week. ... An MRI of Texas RHP Warner Madrigal’s sore right forearm showed no damage but the Rangers didn’t know when he’d pitch again. ... Piniella said Kevin Millar, a candidate to be 1B Derrek Lee’s backup, will get some time in LF to see if he can handle the position.

Oswalt helps lead Astros over Red Sox 3-0

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — With Brad Mills managing against his former team, Roy Oswalt allowed two hits in four innings Tuesday to lead the Houston Astros over a Boston Red Sox split squad 3-0.

Mills was Terry Francona’s bench for six seasons before the Astros hired him as manager last October.

"This probably should have happened a long time ago," Francona said of Mills’ hiring. "But he looks very comfortable. He should. He’s a good baseball guy. He’s an even better person. He’s organized. There’s no reason he shouldn’t be enjoying what he’s doing. I think the Astros are fortunate. He’s going to give them everything he has."

Oswalt struck out one and walked one. His previous turn was rained out, and he has pitched six scoreless innings in spring training.

"It was fun to watch him work because he worked quick," Mills said. "I think he felt really strong. He looks good out there, his demeanor on the mound is outstanding, and he’s throwing the ball great. Any time you have Roy throwing the ball well, that’s special because of who he is and the stuff that he has."

Jon Lester gave up one run and three hits, struck out two and walked two in his third start.

He threw 34 of 60 pitches for strikes. Lester said he worked on all of his pitches and is getting especially comfortable with his changeup.

"I threw a couple today behind and ahead in the count and was able to mix it up, not be predictable with it," Lester said. "I got some outs with it. I’m pretty comfortable with it right now and we just need to keep building that confidence with it because it is a feel and confidence pitch. You just keep building with it and keep throwing it."

J.R. Towles went 2-for-3, raising his average to .550. Carlos Lee went 1-for-3 and scored the game’s first run on a wild pitch.

Astros reliever Matt Lindstrom also threw a shutout inning and struck out one. He has not given up a run in any of his four outings this spring, a span of 4 2/3 innings.

Boston had just four hits. Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis combined to go 0 for 9.

Jason Varitek started at catcher for the second straight game, threw out Humberto Quintero trying to steal and doubled.

"Physically I’m ready," Varitek said. "Catching-wise, I’ve got to get my catching joints in the right places because you can do all the drills you want, but it’s a different monster once you get out there."

Varitek says the Astros players and the organization as a whole will be very pleased with their choice of leaders.

"We’ve been through a lot with Millsie as bench coach," Varitek said. "He’s been a great support. It’s good to see him getting the opportunity to run his own ship. The man knows the game. He’s very organized in the things that he does. He’s enthusiastic and he loves the game, hopefully that helps add to the winning tradition."

Francona said that he’s proud of Mills being able to take the next step, but he says that his former bench partner is definitely in for some changes now that he’s the head man.

"The hardest thing is, as a coach, when you go home, you sleep a little better," Francona said. "When you go home as a manager you don’t. It doesn’t mean you don’t care, it’s just harder to sleep."

Notes: Tuesday’s game was the Astros’ first sellout of the spring. ... Boston has a day off Thursday, its only one of the spring. ... Francona said that Josh Beckett would be at the Red Sox training facility in Fort Myers on Tuesday morning to try to get a side session in. Beckett was scratched from his last start on Sunday due to an illness. He was still feeling the effects of it yesterday, but Francona said he was confident that Beckett could get the work in Tuesday. If all goes well in the session, Beckett is expected to start on Friday.

Yanks slip past Astros 4-1

TAMPA, Fla. — Manager Joe Girardi started his potential regular lineup, closer Mariano Rivera worked out of a bases-load jam in his first appearance and the New York Yankees beat a Houston Astros split squad 4-1 on Tuesday night.

Nick Johnson hit second, Robinson Cano fifth and Curtis Granderson was in the seventh spot of the Yankees’ batting order. Johnson and Granderson started spring training as the candidates to bat behind leadoff hitter Derek Jeter.

"Obviously, the on-base percentage is outstanding," Girardi said Johnson. "He knows how to hit. He takes his walks. Has deep counts."

Rivera needed 27 pitches to pitch a scoreless fifth, giving up one hit, one walk and striking out one. The 40-year old, who has taken a slower approach at spring training the past few years, got an inning-ending grounder from Jason Michaels to end the Astros scoring threat.

"Actually it’s good because you’re out there throwing your pitches, working," Rivera said. "You need to throw to build (arm) strength. I’m happy with how I’m feeling."

Mark Teixeira hit a solo homer for the Yankees, while Nick Swisher had a run-scoring double.

Houston starter Brian Moehler gave up three runs and six hits in three innings. Hunter Pence had an RBI double.

Phil Hughes, bidding for New York’s fifth starter spot, allowed three hits in four shutout innings out of the bullpen.

Joba Chamberlain is facing an important test in his attempt to win the Yankees’ last rotation spot in Wednesday’s game with Philadelphia. The right-hander has 27.00 ERA over his first two outings.

"You’ve got to pitch," Girardi said. "Pick it up. You want to see him execute pitches. Do the things you have to do to be successful."

Girardi expects to have the fifth starter selected by March 25-26.

Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez were in New York’s third and fourth lineup spots, respectively. Jorge Posada was sixth, with Swisher and Brett Gardner placed in the final two slots.

"It’s nice to put them all together for the first time," Girardi said. "We haven’t done it all spring."

Girardi has lined up CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte to pitch the regular-season opening series at Boston, which begins on April 4.

Burnett struggled with his control against the Astros, throwing just 33 of 66 pitches for strikes over 2 1-3 innings. He allowed one run, two hits, four walks and had two strikeouts.

NOTES: Singer Paul Simon threw out the ceremonial first pitch. ... Rivera expects to pitch again on Friday. ... Rodriguez had nothing new to report regarding his pending interview with federal investigators who are conducting a probe into a Canadian doctor accused of selling an unapproved drug. ... Astros RHP Brandon Lyon, who had a small cyst in his right shoulder drained in January, has started a normal pitching program. He could see his first game action this week. ... New York RHP Chan Ho Park threw a simulated game and is scheduled to pitch on Thursday.

Nationals 12, Marlins 3

VIERA, Fla. — Sure, they’re only exhibition games. But it’s still nice to win — especially for a team that had been 0-for-spring training.

The Washington Nationals, who led the majors last year with 103 losses, ended an 0-11 skid Tuesday with a pair of split-squad victories. They beat the Florida Marlins 12-3 with four home runs, including a grand slam by Willie Harris.

Bench coach John McLaren, who guided the Nationals while manager Jim Riggleman led the group that beat St. Louis 4-2, was relieved Washington’s two-week slump was over.

"We’re not trying to win the Grapefruit League," he said. "Our drills have been good and we’ve had nothing to show it.

"I really think the staff will sleep better than anybody because (the losing streak) was creating kind of a monster," he said.

Harris’ eighth-inning shot came off Taylor Tankersley. Ryan Zimmerman, Kevin Mench and pinch-hitter Cristian Guzman also homered for Washington.

Nationals (ss) 4, Cardinals 2

JUPITER, Fla. — Ivan Rodriguez drove in three runs, leading John Lannan and Washington’s split squad over Kyle Lohse and St. Louis.

Lohse gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks in four innings. Lannan, projected to be the Nationals’ starter on opening day, allowed an unearned run and two hits in four innings.

Jaime Garcia, hoping to earn the fifth spot in the Cardinals’ rotation, struck out seven in three innings.

Indians 7, Giants 1

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Jake Westbrook outpitched two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum and Travis Hafner drove in three runs, leading the Cleveland Indians over the San Francisco Giants,

Westbrook, the Indians’ scheduled opening day starter trying to come back after missing nearly two seasons with injuries, allowed one run and two hits in four innings.

Lincecum allowed a home run by Shin-Soo Choo in the first and was tagged for four runs and four hits in four innings. He has a 9.39 ERA during the exhibition season.

Orioles 3, Twins 1

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Minnesota star Joe Mauer got two hits in his return from a four-day absence, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Twins.

Mauer had been out while resting a sore right shoulder. The three-time AL batting champion and reigning MVP is hitting .600 this spring.

Twins opening-day starter Scott Baker threw four shutout innings. Chad Moeller put the Orioles ahead with a two-run homer in the sixth against reliever Clay Condrey.

Phillies 6, Tigers 1

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Ryan Howard hit his first home run of the spring and highly touted Domonic Brown connected twice, leading Cole Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies over the Detroit Tigers.

Hamels held the Tigers to an unearned run and two hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked none.

Howard launched a two-run drive off Justin Verlander. Brown also connected against the Tigers ace and finished 3 for 3 with a walk and four RBIs.

Braves 6, Marlins (ss) 3

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Florida ace Josh Johnson struggled through three innings and the Atlanta Braves beat a Marlins split squad.

Johnson allowed four runs on five hits and three walks. Chipper Jones, Troy Glaus, and Brandon Hicks each had two hits for Atlanta.

Brewers 2, Royals 0

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Left-hander Chris Narveson boosted his bid for a spot in the Brewers’ rotation, pitching four scoreless innings as Milwaukee beat the Kansas City Royals.

Narveson gave up five hits, struck out four, walked one and hit a batter. He has not permitted a run in nine innings in three starts.

Royals starter Gil Meche allowed an unearned run and three hits in four innings.

White Sox 6, Rockies 1

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Juan Pierre and Mark Kotsay each had three hits and the Chicago White Sox beat the Colorado Rockies.

The White Sox roughed up Aaron Cook for six runs on six hits, three walks and a hit batter in three innings. In his previous outing, he allowed five earned runs and nine hits.

Reds 13, Diamondbacks 7

TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona starter Edwin Jackson allowed seven runs and six hits in 2 1/3 innings and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Diamondbacks.

Jackson said he didn’t have a feel for any of his pitches. That wasn’t a concern this early in spring training for the right-hander, who is expected to be the Diamondbacks’ No. 2 starter.

Jackson, who was acquired in the offseason in a three-team trade with Detroit and the Yankees, allowed a solo home run to Jay Bruce, walked two and threw a wild pitch.

Angels 4, Padres 3

PEORIA, Ariz. — Jered Weaver was erratic through 3 1/3 innings for the Los Angeles Angels in their win over San Diego.

Weaver walked five and allowed four hits and three runs while striking out four. San Diego’s Jon Garland went four innings, allowing two runs and three hits.

The Padres stole six bases and got two spectacular diving catches from outfielder Aaron Cunningham.

Rays 7, Red Sox (ss) 0

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Right-handers Wade Davis, Dan Wheeler and Andy Sonnanstine combined on a four-hitter and Sean Rodriguez homered for the fifth time this spring, helping Tampa Bay over a Boston split squad.

Davis worked four innings, allowing three hits, walking one and striking out five in the sharpest of his three exhibition outings. He allowed five runs and walked three in two innings in a start against Pittsburgh last week.

Wheeler pitched a scoreless fifth, walking one and striking out two. Sonnanstine, competing with Davis for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, allowed one hit, walked none and struck out three over the last four innings.

David Ortiz had two of Boston’s three hits off Davis.

The Rays scored three runs off Boof Bonser, two of them on Gabe Kapler’s fourth-inning single. Rodriguez hit a two-run homer off Junichi Tazawa in the eighth.