Rangers recap: Martinez struggles in loss to Diamondbacks
Pitching: Nick Martinez, making his first start since being named the Rangers’ fifth starter, struggled with his command over 101 pitches in just 4 1/3 innings. The Diamondbacks homered twice and had a double and a triple against Martinez, who was charged with seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and three walks. Roman Mendez, who could be a temporary replacement in the bullpen if Tanner Scheppers starts the season on the DL, struck out two in one perfect inning. Keone Kela, who is close to making the roster as a rookie, allowed a hit and struck out one in an inning. Ross Wolf took the loss.
Hitting: The Rangers scored four runs on five consecutive hits in the second, including a double by Martinez, to take 4-1 lead. Delino DeShields Jr., and Carlos Peguero, who are competing for the final reserve outfield spot on the roster, had two hits apiece. DeShields homered to right-center and Peguero doubled twice. Adam Rosales and Luis Marte also had two hits each. Rosales, Chris Gimenez, Ryan Rua and Chuck Moorman doubled.
Notable: The announced attendance Tuesday was 6,252 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, but most of those were no-shows on a hot day.
Stefan Stevenson
817-390-7760
Twitter: @StevensonFWST
Wednesday’s game
vs. Rockies, 3:05 p.m., Salt River Fields, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Rangers probable pitchers: RHP Colby Lewis, RHP Yovani Gallardo, RHP Tanner Scheppers, LHP Sam Freeman
Rockies probable pitchers: RHP Kyle Kendrick, RHP Brooks Brown, LHP Christian Friedrich, RHP Rafael Betancourt
This story was originally published March 31, 2015 at 6:55 PM with the headline "Rangers recap: Martinez struggles in loss to Diamondbacks."