Beltre homers, Choo triples in Rangers' victory

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) Texas lost yet another pitcher to injury, with Anthony Ranaudo walking off the mound during the third inning of the Rangers' 7-3 win over a Chicago White Sox split squad on Thursday.

Rangers pitchers Yu Darvish, Derek Holland and Tanner Scheppers have been injured this spring. Darvish, the staff ace, could be headed for season-ending elbow surgery. Ranaudo is among the candidates competing for a rotation slot.

''I felt a little bit of a grab on a curveball, so I think I shook my arm a little bit,'' Ranaudo said. ''I was at my pitch limit, so it was just precautionary, let's do the right thing. It's something I've dealt with in the past. I should be OK.''

Ranaudo, who gave up all three runs on four hits in 2 1-3 innings, said he threw 90 to 120 feet off a flat surface after exiting.

''I didn't spin any balls, but I got some extension,'' he said.

Ranaudo, who was acquired in January 27 trade with Boston, vows he would make his next start.

''I had an injury when I was in college and ever since then I've had little stuff in spring training every year,'' he said. ''It's very normal for me. I know how to handle it. Being new with the team, I had to explain that to the staff.''

Adrian Beltre homered and Shin-Soo Choo had an RBI triple. Ryan Ludwick had sacrifice fly in the Rangers' three-run fourth. Jorge Alfaro doubled and tripled for Texas.

Avisail Garcia, who is 7 for 13 in his past five games, started the White Sox's three-run second with a single. Carlos Sanchez contributed a two-run single.

STARTING TIME

White Sox: Right-hander Frankie Montas, who was 5-0 with a 1.44 ERA with three minor league clubs last season, allowed one run on two hits in two innings, striking out one and walking none in his debut. ''He was throwing a lot of strikes, pounding the zone,'' White Sox catcher Geovany Soto said. ''He got into a little trouble. He was working on his pitches and delivery and being aggressive throwing strikes. I think he was doing that.''

Rangers: Right-hander Nick Tepesch, who gave up seven runs on seven hits in 1 1-3 innings against the Giants in his first outing, worked 3 1-3 hitless innings against the White Sox. His lone blemish was a walk.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rangers: Holland, who's out with a sore shoulder, will make his spring training debut Saturday in a `B' game against San Diego. LHP Matt Harrison, who has been limited to six starts the past two years because of back and neck injuries, is scheduled to throw 15 pitches off a half-height mound Sunday.

ROMO SIGHTING

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo visited the Rangers' camp and was in the dugout when the game started. Romo said he has not played organized baseball since 15 in the Senior League in Wisconsin. ''I wasn't very good,'' Romo said. ''I hit .740, just run of the mill.''

PRIDE CONCERT

Charley Pride performed a 45-minute concert in the Rangers' clubhouse before the game. Pride pitched in the minors in the 1950s before turning to music and recorded 31 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Pride, who turns 77 on Wednesday yet still does concert tours, is a Rangers minority owner.

UP NEXT

White Sox: LHP Jose Quintana will make his third Cactus League start Friday against the Rockies.

Rangers: RHP Nick Martinez, who is another candidate for a rotation slot, makes his second spring training appearance and first start Friday against the Giants.