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CARACAS, Venezuela — Former Texas Rangers pitcher Rosman Garcia died after a car accident early Thursday in his native Venezuela. He was 32.

Garcia played for the Rangers in 2003. He had been playing recently for a Venezuelan team, the Aragua Tigers.

Team spokesman Manuel Rodriguez said in a Twitter message Garcia was killed when he was driving home early Thursday after a game. He said Garcia’s car skidded off the road and hit a tree.

During his career with the Rangers in 2003, Garcia pitched 46 games and had a 6.02 ERA. He returned to Texas the following season but was sent back to the minor leagues after four games.

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CHICAGO (AP)—Tired and beat up, the Texas Rangers looked the part for the
first three innings.

Then a hit. Then another. And Mitch Moreland(notes) hit a tying, three-run homer.
Just like that, the Rangers were on their way to a 7-4 win over the Chicago
White Sox on Friday night.

Josh Hamilton(notes) hit a tiebreaking home run in the sixth, and Moreland added a
two-run shot to tie a career high with five RBIs for the Rangers, who rallied
for their 10th win in 12 games despite another shaky performance from starter
Matt Harrison(notes).

Oh, and the Rangers didn’t get to their hotel until 6:30 in the morning.

“It’s not so much the physical part of it, because you know you’re
physically tired,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “We played a tough
ballgame last night. It just took us a few innings to get back in a groove.”

“A few runs will always do it for you.”

Reliever Yoshinori Tateyama(notes) (2-0) pitched 2 2-3 scoreless innings and
Neftali Feliz(notes) pitched a scoreless ninth for his 25th save in 31 chances.

Moreland sat out the Thursday finale against the Angels with a tight right
hamstring, but showed no ill effects while trotting around the bases on Friday.

“They just said be smart with it,” he said. “I’ve just been trying to
work, slow stuff down and not press a whole lot in the box.

The White Sox have lost three of four and are five games behind AL
Central-leading Detroit.

Jake Peavy(notes) (5-6) allowed seven runs and six hits in six innings. He is 0-4
in his last six outings at home.

“It was frustrating. I just didn’t get anyone out with two outs. It was
frustrating because I had pretty good stuff tonight. When you have good stuff
you don’t expect that.”

After making a great catch in the outfield in the fifth inning to rob Carlos
Quentin(notes), Hamilton led off the sixth with a towering home run to right. It was
Hamilton’s 16th of the season. Two outs later, Mike Napoli(notes) singled off Peavy and
Moreland connected on a 2-0 pitch for his second homer of the game and 16th of
the season to give the Rangers a 7-4 lead. It was Moreland’s third career
multihomer game.

Peavy couldn’t hold a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning, Michael Young(notes) hit a
two-out single for the Rangers’ first hit of the game. Nelson Cruz(notes) doubled off
the wall in left to score Young from first. Peavy walked Napoli and Moreland
followed with a three-run shot, giving the Rangers a 4-3 lead. Moreland was back
in the lineup after missing Thursday’s game with tightness in his right
hamstring.

Peavy didn’t allow a home run in his previous seven starts.

“It seemed like he didn’t have too much in the tank for the last two
innings,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.

The White Sox came back in the fifth inning by taking advantage of shortstop
Elvis Andrus’(notes) fielding error. With a runner on first, Juan Pierre(notes) placed a bunt
right in front of catcher Yorvit Torrealba(notes) who threw a strike to Andrus covering
second. But the ball went off his glove into center field, allowing Gordon
Beckham(notes) to go to third. Brent Lillibridge(notes) followed with a sacrifice fly to tie
the game at 4. After a walk to Paul Konerko(notes), Harrison was pulled for Tateyama,
who was helped by Hamilton. With runners on first and second, Hamilton made a
running catch into the center-field wall to rob Quentin. Tateyama ended the
inning by getting Alexei Ramirez(notes) to pop out.

Tateyama inherited two runners in the fifth after Harrison was removed.
Carlos Quentin greeted him with a deep drive to center field, but Josh Hamilton
retreated and made a running grab as he crashed into the wall.

“That was quite a play right there, we certainly needed it,” Washington
said of Hamilton’s run-saving grab. “Quentin just didn’t get enough of it. What
it ended up being is what we needed right there—an out.”

Harrison lasted just 4 1-3 innings, allowing four runs—three earned—and
four hits with three walks.

“I don’t feel like I did my job tonight,” Harrison said. “It’s definitely
frustrating coming off my last outing, only going 5 1-3, and tonight not being
able to get out of the fifth.”

The White Sox tagged Harrison for two runs and three hits in the first
inning. Pierre led off with a bunt for a single and stole second. After a walk
to Konerko, Quentin doubled down the left-field line to score Pierre. Ramirez
followed with a single to give the White Sox an early 2-0 lead.

The trouble continued for Harrison in the second. Brent Morel(notes) tripled off
the wall in center and scored on Pierre’s safety squeeze bunt.

But then the sleepy Rangers woke up.

“That just shows the mentality of this team,” Moreland said. “We go out
and we’re going to fight it. There’s no game that we think is out of reach.”

NOTES: Harrison gave up six runs in 5 1-3 innings in Sunday’s 7-6 victory
over Oakland. … White Sox LHP John Danks(notes), who is scheduled to start Saturday,
is 5-1 with a 2.29 ERA (14 ER/55.0 IP) over his last nine starts, compared to
0-8 with a 5.25 ERA (41 ER/70.1 IP) in his first 11 starts. … RHP Alexi Ogando(notes)
will try to become the first Rangers starter to win 13 games this season and
just the ninth Texas right-hander to reach that mark over the last 10 seasons in
his start Saturday against the White Sox. … Before Friday, the last time Peavy
gave up a home run was June 30 in Colorado. … Ramirez was ejected by home
plate umpire Jeff Nelson after he argued a called third strike in the eighth.

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CHICAGO (AP) – Tired and beat up, the Texas Rangers looked the part for the first three innings.

Then a hit. Then another. And Mitch Moreland hit a tying, three-run homer. Just like that, the Rangers were on their way to a 7-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.

Josh Hamilton hit a tiebreaking home run in the sixth, and Moreland added a two-run shot to tie a career high with five RBIs for the Rangers, who rallied for their 10th win in 12 games despite another shaky performance from starter Matt Harrison.

Oh, and the Rangers didn’t get to their hotel until 6:30 in the morning.

“It’s not so much the physical part of it, because you know you’re physically tired. We played a tough ballgame last night. It just took us a few innings to get back in a groove.”

“A few runs will always do it for you.”

Reliever Yoshinori Tateyama (2-0) pitched 2 2-3 scoreless innings and Neftali Feliz pitched a scoreless ninth for his 25th save in 31 chances.

Moreland sat out the Thursday finale against the Angels with a tight right hamstring, but showed no ill effects while trotting around the bases on Friday.

“They just said be smart with it,” he said. “I’ve just been trying to work, slow stuff down and not press a whole lot in the box.”

The White Sox have lost three of four and are five games behind AL Central-leading Detroit.

Jake Peavy (5-6) allowed seven runs and six hits in six innings. He is 0-4 in his last six outings at home.

After making a great catch in the outfield in the fifth inning to rob Carlos Quentin, Hamilton led off the sixth with a towering home run to right. It was Hamilton’s 16th of the season. Two outs later, Mike Napoli singled off Peavy and Moreland connected on a 2-0 pitch for his second homer of the game and 16th of the season to give the Rangers a 7-4 lead. It was Moreland’s third career multihomer game.

Peavy couldn’t hold a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning, Michael Young hit a two-out single for the Rangers’ first hit of the game. Nelson Cruz doubled off the wall in left to score Young from first. Peavy walked Napoli and Moreland followed with a three-run shot, giving the Rangers a 4-3 lead. Moreland was back in the lineup after missing Thursday’s game with tightness in his right hamstring. Peavy didn’t allow a home run in his previous seven starts.

The White Sox came back in the fifth inning by taking advantage of shortstop Elvis Andrus’ fielding error. With a runner on first, Juan Pierre placed a bunt right in front of catcher Yorvit Torrealba who threw a strike to Andrus covering second. But the ball went off his glove into center field, allowing Gordon Beckham to go to third. Brent Lillibridge followed with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 4. After a walk to Paul Konerko, Harrison was pulled for Tateyama, who was helped by Hamilton. With runners on first and second, Hamilton made a running catch into the center-field wall to rob Quentin. Tateyama ended the inning by getting Alexei Ramirez to pop out.

Tateyama inherited two runners in the fifth after Harrison was removed. Carlos Quentin greeted him with a deep drive to center field, but Josh Hamilton retreated and made a running grab as he crashed into the wall.

“That was quite a play right there, we certainly needed it,” Washington said of Hamilton’s run-saving grab. “Quentin just didn’t get enough of it. What it ended up being is what we needed right there – an out.”

Harrison lasted just 4 1-3 innings, allowing four runs – three earned – and four hits with three walks.

“I don’t feel like I did my job tonight,” Harrison said. “It’s definitely frustrating coming off my last outing, only going 5 1-3, and tonight not being able to get out of the fifth.”

The White Sox tagged Harrison for two runs and three hits in the first inning. Pierre led off with a bunt for a single and stole second. After a walk to Konerko, Quentin doubled down the left-field line to score Pierre. Ramirez followed with a single to give the White Sox an early 2-0 lead.

The trouble continued for Harrison in the second. Brent Morel tripled off the wall in center and scored on Pierre’s safety squeeze bunt.

But then the sleepy Rangers woke up.

“That just shows the mentality of this team,” Moreland said. “We go out and we’re going to fight it. There’s no game that we think is out of reach.”

NOTES: Harrison gave up six runs in 5 1-3 innings in Sunday’s 7-6 victory over Oakland. … White Sox LHP John Danks, who is scheduled to start Saturday, is 5-1 with a 2.29 ERA (14 ER/55.0 IP) over his last nine starts, compared to 0-8 with a 5.25 ERA (41 ER/70.1 IP) in his first 11 starts. … RHP Alexi Ogando will try to become the first Rangers starter to win 13 games this season and just the ninth Texas right-hander to reach that mark over the last 10 seasons in his start Saturday against the White Sox. … Before Friday, the last time Peavy gave up a home run was June 30 in Colorado. … Ramirez was ejected by home plate umpire Jeff Nelson after he argued a called third strike in the eighth.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers have acquired right-handed pitcher Tim Wood from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a waiver deal.

The Rangers got Wood on Thursday for either a player to be named or cash. Texas optioned Wood to Triple-A Round Rock.

The 28-year-old Wood was 0-3 with a 5.63 ERA in 13 games for Pittsburgh this season. He was leading the Triple-A International League with 23 saves for Indianapolis.

The Pirates designated Wood for assignment last Friday.

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

Newark native Derek Holland will start the season as a starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers, USA TODAY reported Thursday on its website.

Holland, Tommy Hunter and Matt Harrison have been selected as the teams’ Nos. 3-5 starters, but their order hasn’t been finalized. C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis will be the top two starters.

Holland, 24, appeared in 14 games for the Rangers in 2010, including 10 starts, compiling a 3-4 record and a 4.08 ERA in 57 1/3 innings.

He made his big league debut in 2009, when he went 8-13 with a 6.12 ERA.

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SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP)—Neftali Feliz(notes) will keep closing games instead of starting them for the AL champion Texas Rangers.

As for the Texas rotation, what seemed set Thursday morning was in flux within hours.

Feliz, who set a major league rookie record with 40 saves last season, had been stretched out this spring in case the Rangers decided to use the hard-throwing righty as a starter. Instead, he will remain in his familiar role.

Feliz pitched a scoreless eighth inning Thursday as a split squad of Rangers lost to San Diego 7-4.

“Right now, for our organization, he’s better in the bullpen,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “We haven’t closed the door on him being a starter. It’s just not now. We wanted to make sure that we continue to be strong in every area. With Feliz being at the closing end, we’re certainly strong.”

Feliz took over the closer’s role during last year and went 40 for 43 on save tries, going 4-3 with a 2.73 ERA.

Texas opened spring training knowing left-hander C.J. Wilson(notes) and Colby Lewis(notes) would be its top two starters after Cliff Lee’s(notes) departure. The rest of the rotation announced Thursday included Tommy Hunter(notes) and left-handers Matt Harrison(notes) and Derek Holland(notes).

At least that was the plan until Hunter strained his right groin in the Rangers’ 15-13 victory over Cincinnati on Thursday afternoon.

It marked the third straight year Hunter has been hurt at the end of camp. In 2009 he sustained a groin injury and didn’t arrive in the majors until May. Last year, an oblique strain put him on the disabled list.

“I think I’ll be all right,” said Hunter, who has a 10.97 ERA in his three spring starts. “Three days … I had three days to go. It’s all right. We’ll get back together and go throw.”

Michael Kirkman(notes), who was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock earlier in the day, could replace Hunter if the right-hander isn’t ready for his first start.

Wilson will start the season opener April 1 at home against Boston.

That’s all the news for today.

Associated Press

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Ian Kinsler was back at the top for the Texas Rangers on Thursday, an early indication of how the lineup might change this season for the AL champions.

Manager Ron Washington wasn’t ready to declare whether Kinsler might be leading off this season like he did primarily did in 2009. But that is clearly an option the manager is considering, even if it was only the first practice game of spring training.

“We’re playing an intrasquad game, I just want to try to get some guys some at-bats,” Washington said before the six-inning game. “I think Sunday you will be able to read into what’s going on.”

The Rangers play their first spring training game Sunday against Kansas City, the team that shares the Surprise complex.

After Julio Borbon struggled in the leadoff spot to start last season, Elvis Andrus hit first most of the season. Andrus was batting second Thursday in the lineup that included most of the expected starters.

“I have fun leading off. I would like to,” Kinsler said. “I mean it would be fun, but it doesn’t matter. … We’re pretty good all the way up and down (the lineup). I think I’m going to be able to help the guys in front of me and behind me wherever I’m at.”

Even though third baseman Adrian Beltre (strained right calf) and designated hitter Michael Young (away for personal matters) didn’t play Thursday, their presence in or out of the lineup would have no effect on the top spot in the order.

Young did not play in Friday’s scheduled intrasquad game. Beltre likely will not play in that one either — and may also miss Sunday’s spring training opener. Beltre is still taking part in workouts, and running on a treadmill.

“We want to make sure that his calf (is healed). We don’t want him out there and then he tries to make a play and something happens,” Washington said. “April 1 is his time we want him on the field. We’ll have time to clear that up and then get him his at-bats. I just want to be cautious.”

Kinsler missed the first month of last season with a high ankle sprain, but in his 103 games after that posted a career-best .382 on-base percentage while hitting in five different spots in the batting order (first, third, fifth, sixth and ninth).

He often hit behind the likes of AL MVP Josh Hamilton, Vladimir Guerrero and Nelson Cruz.

“Last year I was able to get on base, and I think after those guys that are free swingers, I needed to be a little more patient and I needed to see some pitches,” Kinsler said.

The same kind of approach that is necessary in the leadoff spot.

In 265 career games leading off, Kinsler has a .284 batting average with 58 stolen bases. Overall, he had 15 stolen bases last year and has been successful on 86 percent (106 of 124) of his attempts, the best in team history and second highest among all players with at least 120 attempts since 1950.

“Like I always say, he can get you a run with one swing on the bat, he will steal you a bag, he’s an excellent bunter,” Washington said. “He can do some things.”

The Rangers wants the speedy Borbon to hit leadoff last season, but he hit only .220 with one stolen base, eight strikeouts and one walk in 14 games from the top spot. He hit .276 overall in his first full season — most games hitting ninth, like he did Thursday.

“If we had to project his down-the-line, Borbon becoming the player he can through progression, one day you may see him back in the No. 1 spot,” Washington said. “Certainly that’s what our purpose was in 2010, but maybe this will take some pressure off of him.”

The leadoff decision this season will come down to Kinsler or Andrus, who hit. 263 in 134 games batting first last season.

“Elvis does a great job working the count, working the pitcher,” Kinsler said. “I believe I can do that also. … I want to be a tablesetter. My goal is not to get us up 1-0 every time I walk up there. My goal is to start the day off right and get our offense going in the right direction.”

NOTES: C.J. Wilson, set to be the opening day pitcher, worked his scheduled one inning Thursday despite being bothered by some kind of bronchial infection. The left-hander threw nine of his 14 pitches for strikes while getting out all three batters he faced: Kinsler, Andrus and Hamilton. … The Rangers will receive their 2010 AL championship rings in a pregame ceremony April 2. … RHP Omar Beltre had surgery after being diagnosed with a genetic narrowing of the spine. Beltre is expected to travel to Arizona to join the team this weekend, depending on how he feels, and begin rehabilitation. He is at least six weeks away from baseball activities.

What are your opinions.

Ian Kinsler was back at the top for the Texas Rangers on Thursday, an early indication of how the lineup might change this season for the AL champions.

Manager Ron Washington wasn’t ready to declare whether Kinsler might be leading off this season like he did primarily did in 2009. But that is clearly an option the manager is considering, even if it was only the first practice game of spring training.

“We’re playing an intrasquad game, I just want to try to get some guys some at-bats,” Washington said before the six-inning game. “I think Sunday you will be able to read into what’s going on.”

The Rangers play their first spring training game Sunday against Kansas City, the team that shares the Surprise complex.

After Julio Borbon struggled in the leadoff spot to start last season, Elvis Andrus hit first most of the season. Andrus was batting second Thursday in the lineup that included most of the expected starters.

“I have fun leading off. I would like to,” Kinsler said. “I mean it would be fun, but it doesn’t matter. … We’re pretty good all the way up and down (the lineup). I think I’m going to be able to help the guys in front of me and behind me wherever I’m at.”

Even though third baseman Adrian Beltre (strained right calf) and designated hitter Michael Young (away for personal matters) didn’t play Thursday, their presence in or out of the lineup would have no effect on the top spot in the order.

Young is not expected back before Friday’s scheduled intrasquad game. Beltre likely will not play in that one either — and may also miss Sunday’s spring training opener. Beltre is still taking part in workouts, and running on a treadmill.

“We want to make sure that his calf (is healed). We don’t want him out there and then he tries to make a play and something happens,” Washington said. “April 1 is his time we want him on the field. We’ll have time to clear that up and then get him his at-bats. I just want to be cautious.”

Kinsler missed the first month of last season with a high ankle sprain, but in his 103 games after that posted a career-best .382 on-base percentage while hitting in five different spots in the batting order (first, third, fifth, sixth and ninth). He often hit behind the likes of AL MVP Josh Hamilton, Vladimir Guerrero and Nelson Cruz.

“Last year I was able to get on base, and I think after those guys that are free swingers, I needed to be a little more patient and I needed to see some pitches,” Kinsler said.

The same kind of approach that is necessary in the leadoff spot.

In 265 career games leading off, Kinsler has a .284 batting average with 58 stolen bases. Overall, he had 15 stolen bases last year and has been successful on 86 percent (106 of 124) of his attempts, the best in team history and second highest among all players with at least 120 attempts since 1950.

“Like I always say, he can get you a run with one swing on the bat, he will steal you a bag, he’s an excellent bunter,” Washington said. “He can do some things.”

The Rangers wants the speedy Borbon to hit leadoff last season, but he hit only .220 with one stolen base, eight strikeouts and one walk in 14 games from the top spot. He hit .276 overall in his first full season — most games hitting ninth, like he did Thursday.

“If we had to project his down-the-line, Borbon becoming the player he can through progression, one day you may see him back in the No. 1 spot,” Washington said. “Certainly that’s what our purpose was in 2010, but maybe this will take some pressure off of him.”

The leadoff decision this season will come down to Kinsler or Andrus, who hit. 263 in 134 games batting first last season.

“Elvis does a great job working the count, working the pitcher,” Kinsler said. “I believe I can do that also. … I want to be a tablesetter. My goal is not to get us up 1-0 every time I walk up there. My goal is to start the day off right and get our offense going in the right direction.”

NOTES: C.J. Wilson, set to be the opening day pitcher, worked his scheduled one inning Thursday despite being bothered by some kind of bronchial infection. The left-hander threw nine of his 14 pitches for strikes while getting out all three batters he faced: Kinsler, Andrus and Hamilton. … The Rangers will receive their 2010 AL championship rings in a pregame ceremony April 2. … RHP Omar Beltre had surgery after being diagnosed with a genetic narrowing of the spine. Beltre is expected to travel to Arizona to join the team this weekend, depending on how he feels, and begin rehabilitation. He is at least six weeks away from baseball activities.

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ARLINGTON, Texas — Outfielder David Murphy and the Texas Rangers have avoided arbitration, agreeing to a $2.4 million, one-year contract.

Murphy hit .291 with 12 home runs and 65 RBI in 138 games for the AL champion Rangers last season. He started 105 games in an outfield that includes AL MVP Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz, who are also eligible for arbitration.

The Rangers on Thursday also signed left-hander Zach Jackson and outfielder Erold Andrus to minor-league deals.

Jackson, who has pitched in 22 major-league games for Milwaukee (2006, 2008) and Cleveland (2008-09), got an invitation to major-league spring training.

Andrus is the older brother of Rangers’ All-Star shortstop Elvis Andrus.

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The Texas Rangers have reportedly agreed to terms with veteran reliever Arthur Rhodes on a one-year contract Thursday, according to MLB.com.

Arlington, TX (Sports Network) – The Texas Rangers have reportedly agreed to terms with veteran reliever Arthur Rhodes on a one-year contract Thursday, according to MLB.com.

The 41-year-old spent last season with the Cincinnati Reds, going 4-4 with a 2.29 earned-run average in 55 innings over 69 appearances for the NL Central champions.

Over 849 games, which included 61 starts at the beginning of his 19-year career, the Texas native has racked up an 84-66 record and 4.06 ERA along with 32 saves.

As a Type A free agent, the Rangers aren’t required to cough up a draft pick to Cincinnati for the signing.

© 2010 The Sports Network

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That’s all the news for today.

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