Major League Baseball

Rangers 11, Rockies 5

Published Mar. 21, 2009 2:08 a.m. ET

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Josh Hamilton doesn't feel comfortable at the plate so far this spring. His swing feels funny, his timing off. Still, the Texas Rangers slugger is hitting .400, even after an 0-for-4 performance in an 11-5 win over the Colorado Rockies on Friday. Not bad for struggling. "I'm still trying to figure out some things," Hamilton said. "If you can still get knocks and feel good, that's a plus." Hamilton has always hit well in the spring, a lifetime .413 hitter this time of year. Just don't remind him. "Spring doesn't matter," Hamilton said. "It doesn't matter about numbers, it's not going to go down in the books as an unbelievable spring that's going to get you a contract. I'm just trying to make things feel good. If I go 0-for-4, I don't care." The Rockies may have cooled off Hamilton, but the rest of the Rangers were a different matter. Frank Catalanotto hit a three-run homer and Nelson Cruz added a two-run shot. It was the fourth homer of the spring for Cruz. "I'm seeing the ball really well," he said. "My swing is there." Michael Young had a single and double for Texas before leaving with tightness in his left quadriceps. He said it's nothing serious. "I thought it was smarter to put some ice on it," Young said. "Not a big deal. It will go away in no time." The Rangers traveled to Tucson without outfielder Andruw Jones, but he's expected to remain with the team at least through the weekend. The sides elected to extend a deadline in Jones' minor league contract that would allow him to become a free agent if the Rangers don't place him on the big league roster. The deadline is now Monday. Hamilton is hoping Jones sticks around. "Andruw's been a high-caliber player for a long time," Hamilton said. "I feel like I can learn some things from Andruw. I think he's a heck of a player still." Matt Harrison gave up two runs in five innings, bolstering his bid to make the back end of Texas' rotation. Jason Marquis went five innings for the Rockies, yielding six runs and seven hits. So much for his experiment with a new delivery. Marquis tried to pitch from a different spot on the mound and got roughed up. He went back to his familiar way in his last two innings and surrendered nothing. "Still a work in progress," said Marquis, who's hoping to incorporate the new delivery just to show hitters a different arm angle. "I felt like I had some quality pitches ... Obviously, they capitalized on the mistakes." Ian Stewart went 3-for-4 with a solo home run for Colorado, and Ryan Spilborghs had three hits, including two doubles. Notes: Rockies 3B Garrett Atkins took some cuts in a batting cage. He's been out of action for nearly two weeks with a groin injury. ... Rockies OF Brad Hawpe left in the sixth with a cramp in his left hamstring. He felt it when he was running out a double. "Nothing bad," Hawpe said. "I was coming out that inning anyway." ... Hamilton drove in a run with a fielder's choice, giving him at least one RBI in 12 of his last 15 games.

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