RANGERS 8, ATHLETICS 8
at Phoenix
Tuesday, March 9

Rangers at the plate: Ian Kinsler went 2-for-2 with a walk, and Julio Borbon tallied a pair of hits while collecting two RBIs. David Murphy, who replaced Josh Hamilton in the sixth inning, notched one of the biggest hits of the day with a three-run double. Hamilton, Michael Young, Nelson Cruz and Elvis Andrus were also among 10 Rangers to get hits in the game.

Athletics at the plate: Kevin Kouzmanoff, who was hitless in his first six Cactus League at-bats entering the game, enjoyed a big day at the plate. The A's new third baseman collected a three-run homer in the third and added a double in the sixth. Oakland also got run-scoring hits from Coco Crisp and Michael Taylor, and Eric Patterson went 2-for-2 on the day with a triple. Eighteen-year-old catcher Max Stassi made some late-inning noise by launching his first home run of the spring in the seventh.

Rangers on the mound: Former A's right-hander Rich Harden got knocked around a bit in 2 2/3 innings. He allowed two hits, four runs and three walks but also struck out four. After righty Evan Reed gave up another run in the third, left-hander Darren Oliver pitched a perfect fourth frame before Doug Mathis allowed two runs in two innings.

Athletics on the mound: In his second start of the spring, Trevor Cahill lasted just two innings rather than the expected three -- giving up three runs on four hits while walking one and fanning three. He struggled not only with the unusual cold weather but also with his changeup, which was handed to Borbon in the second for a two-run single. Right-hander Justin Souza was also tagged with three runs in just one inning, and Matt Wright and Brad Ziegler also each gave up a run.

Worth noting: Stassi left the game with an unknown injury in the ninth inning and was replaced by Jake Fox in a confusing series of events. Fox, who started the game at catcher but moved to right field later in the game, replaced Stassi behind the plate. Meanwhile, Adam Rosales -- who started at shortstop -- reentered the game in right to take the place of Fox.

Cactus League records: Athletics 2-3-1; Rangers 1-3-1

Up next: Right-hander Ben Sheets, coming off elbow surgery, is slated to make his second spring start when the A's host the White Sox at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on Wednesday at 2:05 CT. Sheets walked off the mound feeling "great" after scattering four hits on two runs -- one earned -- in 1 2/3 innings in his debut. Andrew Bailey and Craig Breslow are among those also scheduled to get work in.

It's an American League West showdown in Surprise, Ariz., when the Rangers play host to the Mariners on Wednesday. C.J. Wilson is scheduled to start for Texas against Seattle's Cliff Lee at 2:05 CT. There has been talk about moving Wilson from the bullpen to the starting rotation, but he could return to his role as the left-handed setup man. Neftali Feliz, Alexi Ogando, Chris Ray and Frank Francisco are also scheduled to pitch for the Rangers.