Moreland paces Rangers vs. SF, Romero

March 5th, 2016

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Mitch Moreland drove in three runs with a two-run double in the third inning and a bases-loaded walk in the fourth, helping the Texas Rangers subdue a San Francisco Giants split-squad, 7-5, on Saturday.
Rangers ace Cole Hamels lasted 1 1/3 innings in his first Cactus League start, faltering when Giants rookie Mac Williamson belted a second-inning leadoff homer. Williamson added a second homer in a two-run Giants ninth.
"It's a different intensity from [bullpen session] to game speed," Hamels said. "Seeing an opposing hitter in there, you now have to look at the spots, his swing path, but it really comes down to feeling comfortable on the mound, and I think that's where you want to develop your routine and get your rhythm. ... Now I have the feedback to what I need to work on a little bit more."
Giants starter Ricky Romero, who hasn't pitched in the Majors since 2013 while recovering from surgeries on both knees, pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings before exhausting his 35-pitch limit.

"I had a little bit of jitters and nerves going out there, but I think I was able to find better rhythm in the second inning," Romero said. "There's lots to be happy about."
Moreland's hit highlighted Texas' four-run third inning. The Rangers added a pair of sixth-inning runs as Ronald Guzman and Ryan Cordell stroked RBI singles. Ramiro Pena knocked a two-run, seventh-inning single for the Giants.
Up next for Rangers: Right-hander Nick Tepesch, who is part of a crowded battle for the fifth spot in the Rangers' Opening Day starting rotation, will get the ball against the Mariners as the Rangers return to their spring home of Surprise Stadium on Sunday for a 2:05 p.m. CT game against Seattle. Listen to the action live on Gameday Audio
The Rangers will also host a 'B' game at the Surprise complex against the White Sox at 11:05 a.m. CT on Sunday. Lefty Martin Perez will get the start against Chicago righty Jordan Guerrero, and the game will feature a one-inning stint by Texas righty A.J. Griffin, who hasn't pitched in the Majors since winning 14 games for Oakland in 2013, before elbow and shoulder surgeries.
Up next for Giants: There should be at least a whiff of regular-season intensity in the air Sunday at Scottsdale Stadium, where the Giants will entertain the archrival Los Angeles Dodgers at 12:05 p.m. PT. Right-handers Jeff Samardzija of the Giants and Zach Lee of the Dodgers will start.
Watch the action live on MLB.TV or listen with Gameday Audio.