Texas Rangers draw up the offence – MLB News
The Texas Rangers on Thursday, March 1, had their first intra-squad game, creating some thrill and excitement. While the pitchers had their share of the game, the outfielder Josh Hamilton also made an appearance.
The player, who had recently found himself embroiled in a controversy that could have been avoided, on Thursday seemed to have put the whole episode behind and unleashed his hitting prowess. Having had his first at-bat, the player had a ground out and then
a double.
"It gave me a chance to slide," Hamilton said. "It's always good to get that first slide in."
In the meanwhile, the intra-squad game also saw Julio Borbon and Leonys Martin who played the full match. This was essentially part of the strategy chalked out by the team’s manager. Ron Washington also made a mention of it.
"I wanted both to play center field," Washington said. "I know there were a lot of young kids out there, but they need the at-bats. It's not going to hurt them to be out there."
The intra-squad game is in full swing now as the Cactus League is also around the corner. The Texas Rangers’ performance will be closely observed as it will determine how prepared the team is for this year’s regular season.
The outfielder Josh Hamilton’s presence was coincided with that of third baseman Adrian Beltre. He, however, was asked out of the intra-squad. There apparently is only one reason involved for the decision to ask him out.
The player had a strained called in 2011 and could not play for over a month due to strained left hamstring. Nonetheless, the chances are that the Rangers may allow him to play on Friday when the club will have the second intra-squad game.
For the manager, it is the 162 games of the regular season which are important. For that reason, even if Beltre fails to make an appearance in the second game, there will not be much of a difference for now.
With the combination of hitters like Hamilton and Beltre available, the Rangers are indeed all set to wreck havoc on any defence in the League.
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