ATHLETICS 5, RANGERS 2
at Surprise, Ariz.
Saturday, March 24

Rangers at the plate: Hank Blalock had two singles with an RBI in two at-bats. That was his first multihit game since going 2-for-3 against the Royals on March 3. Kenny Lofton had a single and a walk in two plate appearances.

Athletics at the plate: Travis Buck hit his first home run of the spring, a two-run shot in the second inning. Nick Swisher had a pair of doubles, including one that brought home a run, and Dan Johnson was 2-for-3.

Rangers on the mound: Brandon McCarthy had some trouble with the strike zone and allowed five runs on six hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings. Ron Mahay took over for him and forced in two runs with walks but followed that with two scoreless innings. Akinori Otsuka also pitched a scoreless inning.

Athletics on the mound: Esteban Loaiza became the first Athletics pitcher to go six innings this spring, holding the Rangers to two unearned runs on seven hits. He has a 1.59 ERA in his last two outings.

Cactus League records: Rangers 13-8; Athletics 13-10.

Up next: The Athletics send Jason Windsor and Brad Halsey to the mound against the Seattle Mariners at 1:05 p.m. PT Sunday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The Rangers are at Tucson Electric Park at 3:05 p.m. CT Sunday to play the Chicago White Sox.