SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) -On a day of auditions for the back end of starting rotations, the Texas Rangers’ Eric Hurley outpitched Colorado Rockies starter Mark Redman.
Hurley allowed two runs and two hits in four innings and the Rangers beat the Rockies 10-5 on Saturday.
“The one thing I can do is go out there and get batters out consistently,” said Hurley, who has allowed six runs and eight hits in 11 2-3 innings this spring. “That’s all I can do. Their decision is going to be their decision but I’m going to influence it however I can.”
David Murphy homered twice for Texas, which is unbeaten in its last six (5-0-1). Scott Posednik had two hits and walked twice for Colorado, which is winless in its last four (0-3-1).
Hurley, one of a handful of candidates for the final spot in the Rangers’ rotation, surrendered a leadoff home run to Ian Stewart in the second and a third-inning double by Ryan Spilborghs in his first spring start. The 22-year-old right-hander walked two and struck out two.
“He was pretty good,” said Rangers manager Ron Washington. “He pounded the strike zone, threw some breaking balls and moved the ball in and out well.”
Hurley split time between Double-A and Triple-A last season. He was 7-2 with a 3.25 ERA in 15 games – 14 starts – in Double-A but struggled to a 4-7 mark and 4.91 ERA in Triple-A Oklahoma.
Redman’s outing was far rockier. The left-hander, still in the mix for one of the final two spots in Colorado rotation, surrendered seven runs and 11 hits in 4 2-3 innings with a walk and three strikeouts.
“It’s real frustrating as a pitcher, to me, not taking charge,” Redman said. “I gave up some base hits because I fell behind. A guy who depends on sink and relies on command, it just doesn’t turn on. You have to work at it.”
Redman’s spring results have been mixed. He started with five scoreless innings, surrendered six runs and 10 hits in three innings against San Diego on March 6 and threw four scoreless against the White Sox in a B game Monday in Tucson.
“It’s a rollercoaster on the mound and not really per start,” Redman said.
Josh Towers, another candidate for the Rockies’ rotation, allowed three runs and three hits and walk over three innings with two strikeouts.
Nelson Cruz also homered for Texas.
Notes: The Rangers also got good news from the back fields Saturday, where Kevin Millwood started for Class A High Desert and pitched three solid innings. The right-hander, who has been nursing a left groin pull, threw 54 pitches and allowed four hits with four strikeouts. “Physically everything felt good but I’ve still got some things to work on,” Millwood said. … Joaquin Benoit and CJ Wilson also pitched for High Desert. Benoit struck out three and retired four batters in a simulated inning and Wilson struck out one and threw 11 pitches, also in one inning.
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