Major League Baseball

Rangers 8, Cubs 7

Published Mar. 4, 2011 1:42 a.m. ET

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There were no fights in the dugout and only one costly error.

All in all, not a bad day for the Chicago Cubs.

Zambrano pitched three scoreless innings in his second spring start, but a split squad of Texas Rangers rallied to beat the Cubs 8-7 on Thursday.

''I was trying to think if I've ever felt better about a tough 8-7 loss,'' manager Mike Quade said. ''Fifteen runs, 25 hits, three hours and change, and we made one mistake. Mentally and physically we made one mistake. If we do that, we'll be just fine.''

The Cubs were far from fine Wednesday, when pitcher Carlos Silva groused about the fielding behind him as he came off the field following a three-error first inning against Milwaukee that included two homers and six runs. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who dropped a pop fly in the inning, had to be separated from Silva by teammates and coaches.

Quade responded by holding a team meeting before practice Thursday, and the manager said the matter has ''been put to bed.''

''Sometimes a little revolt's not bad,'' he said after the meeting.

Ramirez, who hit a two-out RBI single in the first against the Rangers, said Wednesday the altercation was a misunderstanding and he had moved on. Silva has declined to talk to reporters.

Quade said the dugout scuffle was only part of the reason for the meeting, and he spoke mostly about the slew of errors and mental lapses so far this spring.

The Cubs' lone error against Texas came in the sixth, when non-roster infielder Scott Moore dropped a low throw to first. Mitch Moreland hit a three-run homer off Rafael Dolis later in the frame.

Zambrano allowed two hits and walked two, then complained of arm fatigue following the outing. But the right-hander called the issue normal for spring training, and Quade said the team is not concerned.

American League MVP Josh Hamilton went 0 for 2, including a drive to the warning track in right in the first. Michael Young singled and walked in two trips to the plate for the Rangers.

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