The Rangers, apparently determined to avoid repeating their last two Aprils, are making quite a fashion statement with their first season-opening winning streak in nine years. Not since 2000 have the Rangers won at least the first two games of the season. That was also the last time the Rangers wore red caps before now. The Rangers — at the request of the players — donned the red caps for the second straight game and upped their record to 2-0 with an 8-5 victory over the Indians at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington Wednesday night. Texas hasn’t won more than two in a row to start a season since they won seven straight in the red-capped year of 1996, when the famous Hunt for Red October took them to the first division title in club history. “It’s the red hats,” said C.J. Wilson, one of four relievers who followed winning pitcher Vicente Padilla to the mound. “I love the red hats. It makes us more aggressive and more manly. Red is the power color.” The Rangers were only supposed to wear red caps and red accessories on certain occasions this season, but this might create a groundswell. “We like it,” reliever Jason Jennings said. “I’m a big believer in if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Ride her until she bucks us off.” Nelson Cruz hit two home runs, Elvis Andrus hit the first of his embryonic Major League career and Frank Francisco finished it off with his first save. Padilla not only earned his first win of the season but snapped a six-game winless streak at home going back to June 17 of last year. The Rangers committed three throwing errors, but their five pitchers combined to hold the Indians to a 1-for-15 (.067) performance with runners in scoring position.

“Once again, our pitching kept us in the ballgame,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. Cruz led off the second inning with home run that set off a four-run rally against Indians starter Fausto Carmona. Cruz added another with two outs in the bottom of the seventh when he blasted a full-count pitch from Rafael Perez into the club level [second deck] in left field. He became the 11th player to hit a ball into that level and it’s the 15th time it’s been done overall. Andrus, who is 20 years old, made a little history in the sixth when he hit one into the Texas bullpen in right-center. He is the fourth youngest player in Rangers history to hit a home run and the youngest player in team history to go deep in the Ballpark. Adrian Beltre, just 19 when he homered for the Dodgers in June 1998, was the youngest.  ”I just hit it hard and started running,” Andrus said. “I ran past second base and I thought I had an easy triple. Then I saw everybody not moving. It feels great, but the most important thing is we won the game.” Cruz also had the defensive gem of the night in the top of the fifth with the Rangers leading, 4-1. With one out and a runner at second, Victor Martinez smashed one to deep right-center toward the angle where the bullpen wall meets the right-field wall. Cruz turned to his left, but the wind blew it deep and over his right shoulder.”I broke the right way, but I didn’t think the ball would go that far,” Cruz said. “I just ran and ran, and at the last second, I threw my glove up. The ball stuck in there.”

 Outfielder Andruw Jones and pitcher Kris Benson were among the last ones added to the Rangers’ Spring Training roster, but they already are taking the early lead in camp. Jones was the big hit in two intrasquad games, and Benson is going to be the first Rangers pitcher in a Cactus League game, instead of Matt Harrison. Jones had a double, a home run and three RBIs in leading the B team to a 4-1 victory over the A team in the second of two intrasquad scrimmages on Tuesday. Jones was 2-for-3 in the first intrasquad game on Monday.  “Yesterday they were in my kitchen and broke my bats,” Jones said. “I got hits, but I was lucky. Today was better. My timing was better. I was keeping my body from moving, trying to be still and square toward the pitcher. It paid off.” Jones had an RBI double in the first inning off Kevin Millwood and a two-run homer off Luis Mendoza in the fourth. “I’m happy to see him swing the bat and I’m happy to see him running around in the outfield,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “[Wednesday] is for real. He’s come in and done well for just the little time we’ve been here.” Jones was signed to a Minor League contract a week before Spring Training opened. Benson agreed to a similar deal a week into camp, but he already has pushed ahead of the field. Pitching coach Mike Maddux has decided to start Benson in the Rangers’ first Cactus League game on Wednesday against the Royals in Surprise Stadium. Harrison was supposed to start, but Maddux wants Benson instead. Harrison will pitch at some point during the game.

With Andruw Jones hanging around on a Minor
League contract, Nelson Cruz could use a good spring. He
started it out right with a grand slam on the first day of
competition. Cruz hit the granny off pitcher Doug Mathis to
give the A team an 8-5 victory over the B,team in the
Rangers’ intrasquad scrimmage Monday on Nolan Ryan Field.
Cruz who will join the Dominican Republic for the World
Baseball Classic at the end of the week, crushed the first
pitch he saw from Mathis deep over the left-field wall. “It’s
a good start,” Cruz said. “My timing is good and I’m
comfortable. We’ll see what happens in the next couple of
days before I have to leave.” Cruz was playing right field
for the first team included Josh Hamilton in center, Elvis
Andrus at shortstop and Michael Young at third base. Both
Young and Andrus had throwing errors. Young’s came on a slow
roller, as he tried to make an off-balance throw. He also had
two singles in the cleanup spot. Kevin’ Millwood threw a
scoreless inning in the first, allowing a double to Frank
Catalanotto. Matt Harrison faced four batters and allowed two
singles. Thomas Diamond , who looked sharp, and Elizardo
Ramirez were the only two of the 16 pitchers who set down the
side in order. Derek Holland and Mathis both gave up four
runs without retiring a batter. Jarrod Saitalamacchia hit a
two-run home run, Julio Borbon had a three-run home run and
Joaquin Arias was 3-for3.

Some come to Spring Training with jobs
locked up. Others try to hold on to what they have, others
have dreams of taking it away.

Now with Spring Training is week’s awary let’s look at your Texas rangers Batting Order

Projected batting order             

1.   2B Ian Kinsler:                  
2.   3B Michael Young:
3.   CF Josh Hamilton:
4.   DH Hank Blalock:
5.  RF Nelson Cruz:
6.  LF David Murphy:
7.  1B Chris Davis:
8.  C Jarrod Saitalamacchia:
9.  SS Elvis Andrus:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                :

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