Giants Top Rangers In Spring Training Game
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Pat Burrell was happy to end his hitless drought against the Texas Rangers.
Even if it was only a spring training game.
The veteran outfielder who went hitless in 15 at-bats in last year's World Series against Texas went 2 for 2 with a walk Monday night, including a two-run home run in the fifth inning that propelled the San Francisco Giants past the Rangers 4-1.
Burrell's shot highlighted a four-run inning for the Giants that included a two-run single by Cody Ross. Burrell was 2 for 17 (.118) in spring training games going into Monday.
"People get it going at different times. This is usually about right for me," Burrell said. "I start feeling a little better. You'd like to build yourself up the last six or seven games and treat those ... like real games preparation-wise."
Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez allowed a run and two hits and struck out five in four innings in his third spring training start for the defending World Series champions.
The Giants and Rangers faced each other for the first time since Game 5 last fall.
Eight of nine Rangers in the lineup Monday were projected everyday players.
"Felt pretty good, Sanchez said. "I just worked on my splitter. I had it over the plate.
"I didn't think they'd bring the whole lineup. I just tried to throw strikes and get people out."
Down 1-0 in the fifth, the Giants struck with two outs against Rangers reliever Tommy Hunter. Freddy Sanchez and Pablo Sandoval singled, then Sandoval stole second base. Ross singled sharply to left to drive in both runners, then Burrell went deep.
Alexi Ogando rebounded from a rough outing in his first spring training appearance and shut out the Giants over three innings. Ogando, a reliever for the Rangers last season making his first start this spring, struck out four, walked two and allowed two hits.
"He threw some good breaking balls. Had good zip on his fastball," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "Remove that fifth inning, it's a 1-nothing ball game."
Former Giant Yorvit Torrealba doubled in a run in the second off Sanchez.
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