Diamondbacks Easily Handle Ranges

The Arizona Diamondbacks amassed 11 runs on 13 hits to defeat the Texas Rangers in a spring training exhibition baseball game.  The Rangers put up eight runs on 11 hits in their effort. 

The Diamondbacks never let Rangers starting pitcher Jake Latz settle in, putting up four runs on five hits in the first inning.  P.J. Higgins’s single to left field plated Jake McCarthy.  Christian Walker’s sacrifice fly then scored Pavin Smith.  P.J. Higgins touched the plate on Buddy Kennedy’s triple.  Kennedy then score on Yairo Munoz’s single. 

Texas closed the gap by one run in the bottom of the second inning when Josh Jung scored on Sam Huff’s sacrifice fly.  But Arizona restored the margin in the top of the third with Walker crossing the plate on Munoz’s single. 

The teams exchanged runs in the bottom of the fourth and top of the fifth innings.  Texas brough home two runners on Sam Huff’s RBI single, and then a throwing error by second baseman Diego Castillo.  The Diamondback’s Higgins led off the fifth inning with a home run, followed by an fielder’s choice that brought home Phillips Evans. 

The Rangers’ Josh Smith started a three-run rally in the seventh inning with a line drive single to center field, scoring Joe McCarthy.  Yoshi Tsutsugo’s four-bagger brought Smith home. 

A big eighth inning seemingly put the game out of reach for the Rangers.  Dominic Canzone’s double added two runs, and Higgins’ double a third.  Higgins then scored on Evan’s single to right field. 

Texas tried to muster a bottom of the eighth inning rally on Joe McCarthy’s two-run homer, but fell short. 

Arizona won, 11-to-8.