Major League Baseball

Holland ready after 5 innings in loss to Express

Published Mar. 31, 2011 3:38 a.m. ET

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Derek Holland pitched five innings and allowed one run and six hits, and the Texas Rangers lost their final exhibition game to Triple-A affiliate the Round Rock Express 4-3 Wednesday night.

The left-hander was told last Thursday that he made the Rangers rotation. The next day he gave up eight runs and 13 hits over 4 1-3 innings against Colorado. Wednesday night's game was a chance for him to get a better outing heading into the regular season.

Josh Hamilton had one hit and one run and Nelson Cruz had a run and an RBI for the Rangers.

The Rangers announced their 25-man roster on Tuesday and infielder Chris Davis, who batted .362 this spring, was not on that list. He was bumped down to the Express and had one hit on Wednesday.

''He handled the spring like a pro, but there just wasn't a spot for him,'' Rangers manager Ron Washington said. ''You never start a season with everybody you need.''

Holland said he was tipping his pitches against the Rockies, so he altered his mechanics Wednesday.

Last season, Holland went back and forth between Triple-A and the majors. He went 3-4 with a 4.08 ERA in 14 appearances, 10 of which were starts, with the Rangers.

Round Rock starter Michael Kirkman had a bruised left elbow after being hit by a line drive off the bat of Cruz, in the second inning.

The American League champion Rangers will begin the regular season Friday at home against the Boston Red Sox.