Beltre hits first spring homer as Rangers top Athletics
SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) -- Adrian Beltre hit his first spring homer and drove in four runs to help the Texas Rangers beat the sloppy Oakland Athletics 14-5 on Saturday.
The A's committed five more errors, running their spring total to 20. Oakland pitchers issued eight walks, bringing their Cactus League-leading total to 53, and hit two batters.
Beltre singled home Ian Desmond in the first and hit a three-run homer in a six-run fourth when the Rangers sent 10 men to the plate.
Beltre, who turns 37 next month and is eligible for free agency after the season, is 6 for 12 with six RBIs in six spring games.
"I've been a free agent three times already, nothing new," Beltre said. "My job is to be here and do what I do. Whatever happens is going to happen. I'm happy playing this year and becoming a free agent. My concentration is to help my teammates do what we need to do, which is win the World Series."
Stephen Vogt hit his Cactus League-leading third homer in the first inning off Rangers right-hander Phil Klein. Chad Pinder also homered for Oakland.
Klein was removed after 58 pitches and 2 2-3 innings, allowing two unearned runs and two hits.
"I just threw too many pitches to each batter and the pitch count got a little high," Klein said. "If I got behind, I'd come back. If I got ahead, I'd waste a couple of pitches, trying to nibble too much."
STARTING TIME
Athletics: RHP Kendall Graveman threw only 19 strikes in 40 pitches the first two innings, but 10 strikes in 17 pitches in a flawless third, striking out two.
"I was a little bit out of rhythm that first inning," Graveman said. "In the third inning I found some rhythm. That's what you're looking for this time of year, is a release point and how to make pitches. Getting ahead in the last inning was really big for me."
Rangers: Klein had been strictly a reliever in the minors before last season, when he made 12 starts. This spring, he is being groomed to start.
"There are a lot of guys here competing for that fifth spot, guys with obviously more experience than me," Klein said. "In my mind I've got nothing to lose."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Athletics: RHP Jarrod Parker, who has had two broken elbows and Tommy John surgery since March 2014, will confer with medical specialists for recommendations. Parker learned Friday he had broken his elbow again in a Thursday bullpen session. Parker is expected back in camp Monday as he ponders his future.
Rangers: RHP Shawn Tolleson (back spasms) threw 20-plus pitches in batting practice with no problems.
BACK FIELD ACTION
RHP Colby Lewis threw 66 pitches in four innings in a Rangers B game against the White Sox. He allowed two runs on seven hits, while striking out two and walking one.
NO RELIEF
A's LHP Daniel Coulombe retired only one of the six batters he faced, and five scored. He threw only nine strikes in 26 pitches, walking three, hitting a batter and uncorking a wild pitch.
MINOR CUTS
The Rangers assigned RHPs Myles Jaye and Scott Williams and C Kellin Deglan to minor league camp. Deglan was a 2010 first-round pick out of Canada.
UP NEXT
Athletics: RHP Jesse Hahn, who did not pitch after July 1 last season after straining his forearm, will start against the Cubs.
Rangers: LHP Derek Holland, who has won his first two starts without allowing an earned run, will face the Angels.
