LAS VEGAS — The home run that grabbed everyone’s attention Sunday was hit by 19-year-old Joey Gallo, the heralded power-hitting prospect who hit a three-run moon shot before family and friends in his hometown.
But the two-run homer Mitch Moreland hit in the first inning is far more important to the 2013 Texas Rangers, who need their first baseman to have a breakthrough season. He needs it, too.He appears to be on the right track after the Rangers’ 8-5 victory to gain a Big League Weekend split with the Chicago Cubs.Moreland headed back to Surprise, Ariz., as the club’s leader in homers (three) and RBIs (10) while hitting .361 after a 2-for-3 day. He said he isn’t doing anything special but is seeing the benefits of the work he did in the off-season.“I’ve pretty much approached every spring the same,” said Moreland, who was recovering from wrist surgery last winter and spring. “I feel like this off-season I was able to get a little more done. That helps a little bit to kick-start it for me. It’s coming along like I want it to.”Robbie Ross walked three but pitched three scoreless innings in his third spring start, and Coty Woods worked two perfect frames. Julio Borbon went 2 for 3 with an RBI triple, and Jose Felix had a two-run homer.Gallo went 1 for 1 with two walks and finished the weekend 2 for 2 with a double and the homer. His drive Sunday sailed over the tall trees atop the 20-foot right-field wall and landed in the parking lot below.“The kid had a perfect day, two walks and a serious bomb,” manager Ron Washington said. “It cleared everything. I don’t know what’s back there, but it got back there.”Said Gallo: “I got into one pretty good today. I’ve hit balls better. I knew I hit it well enough to get it out of here.”Jeff Wilson, 817-390-7760 Twitter: @JeffWilson
