Surprise, Ariz. — Better days are ahead for Cody Buckel, because things can’t get much worse for him than they did Tuesday.
Buckel, one of the Rangers’ top pitching prospects, walked five batters in only one-third of an inning, and the Chicago White Sox scored 11 times in the third and fourth innings to roll to a 14-8 victory at Surprise Stadium.The loss dropped the Rangers’ Cactus League record to 0-4-1, though the past two outcomes were decided by pitchers who are unlikely to make the Opening Day roster.That includes Buckel, who allowed six runs despite not allowing a hit. Evan Meek, trying to make the club as a reliever, allowed five runs the next inning while getting only two outs.Buckel, 20, is in his first big-league camp and was making his first spring appearance. Manager Ron Washington said the big stage might have affected Buckel.“He just couldn’t get the ball down,” Washington said. “I attribute it to adrenaline. There were a lot of reasons. But he’s going to get a chance to atone.”Yu Darvish started the game and worked two perfect innings, and Mike Olt swatted his first homer of the spring. The two-run shot to center was part of a five-run fifth that cut the Rangers’ deficit to 12-5.Center fielder Leonys Martin would add an RBI triple in the eighth to raise his spring average to .545 (6 for 11). Leury Garcia, a candidate to be the utility man, scored two runs, and top prospect Jurickson Profar walked twice to give him a team-high five this spring.Jeff Wilson, 817-390-7760 Twitter: @JeffWilson_FWST
