3 Texas Rangers observations: Spring slump continues, Adolis Garcia provides silver lining

SURPRISE, Ariz. — It appears missing all those starting position players may be catching up with the Texas Rangers in the Cactus League race. It almost looks like the last week of September around here.

On Monday, they began the final week in Arizona with a 9-5 loss to Seattle. It was the fourth straight loss and the eighth in the last 10 games.

Oh well, the Rangers will be back at it on Tuesday when they face Oakland at Surprise Stadium. It will be their last spring matchup against an AL West foe. They go into it at 2-3.

While you wait anxiously, here are three VERY IMPORTANT observations from Monday:

Best slump-buster: OK, Adolis García’s bat appears to be coming around. The Rangers started García off slowly this spring to go easy on his oft-troublesome knees. And when he did start playing, his bat was slow to respond.

García doubled and homered in three at-bats Monday, breaking from an 0-for-16 skid that had included nine strikeouts. The ninth came in his first at-bat Monday. The Rangers have not been concerned. García skidded to the end of last spring in a 1-for-20 spell, then was just fine during the regular season.

Still … anytime is a good time to bust out of a slump.

“It’s good to see him square up a couple balls today,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “I know it’s spring training, but he really had a couple of good swings and put the bat on the ball. It’s still kind of early, to be honest, for him. I’m sure he was glad to see it too.”

Worst first inning: One-time Ranger Adrian Sampson, in contract on a minor league deal, was probably headed to the Triple-A Round Rock rotation anyway, but a rough first inning Monday left no doubt.

In what was likely to be his last, best opportunity to stake a claim as the Rangers’ long reliever, Sampson was hit hard by Seattle in the first inning. He gave up a well-struck double, single and loud homer in the first four batters of the game.

The Rangers need at least one reliever capable of going three innings in the event of a rough outing by a starter. Sampson, scheduled to pitch five innings on Monday, did not make it through the fourth. The terms of his contract do not allow Sampson to opt out of his deal until June. Fellow veteran Jose Ureña, who pitched Sunday against the Cubs, must be informed of his status before the end of the week and take his release if not on the team. If the Rangers are trying to go for maximum depth in their pitching pool, it makes sense to keep Ureña and send out Sampson.

Best day to be without technology: Most stadiums in Arizona, Surprise Stadium included, do not feature MLB’s pitch tracking technology that keeps a record of every pitch. Monday that was a real perk. The Rangers threw way too many.

According to Bochy, the Rangers threw more than 180 pitches on the day. They were constantly behind in the count, putting them at a disadvantage. It led to six walks. Only once this spring have they allowed more.

Now, it’s very possible none of the five pitchers who appeared Monday — Sampson, Jacob Latz, Shane Greene, Austin Pruitt and Jesús Tinoco — will make the opening day roster. Most, however, do figure to pitch for the Rangers at some point.

“The really big thing today is that our pitchers worked too hard,” Bochy said. “We got behind in the count. It was just a little too much.”

Twitter: @Evan_P_Grant

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