Game Report: Rangers 9, Mariners 1

In Peoria, Ariz., RHP Brandon McCarthy was sharp with a sinking fastball to both sides of the plate and used his newly-developed slider to keep Seattle off balance. It resulted in a 47-pitch, four-inning outing. McCarthy had been scheduled to pitch only three innings, but worked the extra inning because he was so efficient.

The Good: Leadoff hitter 2B Ian Kinsler began the first and third innings with doubles. The Rangers scored in each inning. He also walked in the sixth as a key to the Rangers four-run inning. Kinsler is now hitting .357 for the spring.

The bad: While RHP Neftali Feliz continues to wow everybody who sees him with his velocity, he is struggling with command. His fastball ranged from 95-97 mph, but he still walked the first batter he faced and hit another in his first inning of work. Feliz has nine strikeouts in six innings, but also has walked four and hit one. He did manage to keep Seattle off the scoreboard and then pitched a perfect ninth inning that included a long fly ball out by Ken Griffey Jr.

The athletic: CF Josh Hamilton helped McCarthy out in the third by running down a hard hit liner by Mike Wilson to the gap in right center. Hamilton made the catch with a leap, tumbled to the ground, sprung up and threw to first to try and double up a runner all in one motion.

On deck: The Rangers have a split-squad day with games at Glendale against the Los Angeles Dodgers and in Surprise against Kansas City. Both start at 3:05 CDT, but neither will be broadcast. RHP Vicente Padilla pitches against Kansas City while RHP Doug Mathis faces the Dodgers.