BOX SCORE
PHOENIX (AP) -- C.J. Wilson is taking his changeup high-tech.
Wilson, who helped Texas reach its first World Series last year in his first year as a starter, pitched three innings Friday in the Rangers' 6-3 victory over Oakland.
"I wanted to throw three innings in as easy a manner as I could," Wilson said. "I was working on different things every inning."
And that includes a different type of changeup that may produce better results. He called it "proprietary technology" and didn't want to discuss it further.
"I was watching the way Tim Lincecum pitched in the playoffs and how he could take over a game with the changeup. Why shouldn't I try something like that? I'm always trying to improve. I'm not satisfied with good. I want to be rad."
Wilson allowed five hits, including Kevin Kouzmanoff's three-run homer, in three innings. Asked what he threw Kouzmanoff, Wilson said "meatballs."
Oakland designated hitter Hideki Matsui drew two walks and "wasn't even swinging," said Wilson, who has held opposing left-handers to an .181 average. "I was trying to throw him strikes, but I guess he didn't feel like swinging. He could have been just tracking pitches."
Non-roster pitcher David Bush threw three scoreless innings for Texas.
"C.J. stayed attacking the zone," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "Kouzmanoff got him early but he made the adjustments. Bush was very impressive. He was a professional out there and did a good job of keeping the ball down."
A's manager Bob Geren said Bush frustrated his hitters a little bit.
"He showed some craft with that slow breaking ball," Geren said. "He was hitting the corners and locating so well that we couldn't do anything after that."
A's starter Dallas Braden went three innings, giving up four runs and five hits.
"I'm in that spring training purgatory right now," he said. "It doesn't matter who you are, if someone else is pitching better, he gets the job. That's my mindset."
Taylor Teagarden hit a two-run homer off Braden in the second. The shot didn't surprise Braden.
"I don't know who Taylor Teagarden is," he said. "I do know who Babe Teagarden is. He's definitely had some success against me."
NOTES: The Rangers agreed to terms with GM Jon Daniels on a four-year contract extension through the 2015 season. ... A's RHP Rich Harden (lat tightness) threw 30 pitches at 80 feet and will throw again Saturday. ... A's LHP Craig Breslow and RHP Andrew Bailey each threw to live hitters. ... The Rangers have hit nine home runs in their last four games. ... Kouzmanoff has hit safely in all three games and has four RBIs. ... Texas has at least 10 hits in its last six games. ... Rangers RHP Brett Tomko pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.
Updated March 4, 2011
