Major League Baseball

Rangers 8, Diamondbacks 5

Published Mar. 26, 2009 8:05 a.m. ET

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Chris Davis hit a seventh-inning grand slam off Arizona pitcher Tony Pena to snap a 4-4 tie and lead the Texas Rangers to an 8-5 victory over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday night. Josh Hamilton drove in one run for Texas and had two hits while Hank Blalock had two hits, including a double. Vicente Padilla improved on his velocity for the Rangers, allowing three runs and eight hits and two walks while striking out one in six innings. "After the first start it's been slowly gradually getting better," Padilla said. "My concern was my velocity but it's coming back. Since I got the velocity back I was able to try a few other pitches and other things." Arizona right-hander Jon Garland struggled through his first two innings and gave up a solo home run to Rangers catcher Jared Saltalamacchia before settling down to retire 10 of the final 12 batters he faced. Garland allowed four runs and six hits and finished with two walks and four strikeouts over five innings. "We can break right now," Garland said. "I'm ready." Eric Byrnes had a two-run double for the Diamondbacks and Chad Tracy had an RBI single. The Diamondbacks have lost five of six and 14 of 18 since starting the spring 4-2. Notes: Pena allowed four runs on five hits in two innings. Diamondbacks' 1B Conor Jackson left the game before the bottom of the fifth after being hit in the left elbow in the top of the inning. Arizona optioned OF Alex Romero to Triple-A Reno earlier Wednesday. Romero, who played the final three innings Wednesday, will remain with the major league team as a reserve. The Rangers optioned C Max Ramirez to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Arizona SS Stephen Drew made the trip from Tucson but was held out of the lineup with an abdominal strain. The move was deemed precautionary though Drew will be re-examined on Thursday. Rangers 3B Michael Young was out of the lineup to rest his sore left quad. Young left Tuesday's tie against Seattle after two innings after injuring the muscle. Rangers CF Josh Hamilton and his agent received an initial offer on a contract extension from the club. "My agent and I were disappointed with the offer," Hamilton said earlier Wednesday. "The negotiations have begun."

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