GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Texas Rangers (14-13-2) opened a home-and-home series against the Cincinnati Reds (9-16-2) with a 6-2 victory on Saturday at Goodyear Ballpark.
What this means
Texas moves one game above .500 for the fourth time this spring. The Rangers have alternated wins and losses in their past five games.
Classic confrontation
Yu Darvish unveiled a slow drooping 60 mph curveball earlier this spring that always leads to a chorus of "ooohs" from the surprised crowd. Darvish tossed the pitch to Reds slugger Joey Votto in the first inning, but the former NL MVP got the last laugh two pitches later when he launched a pitch to right field that exited Goodyear Ballpark. Votto held his finger up to his lips as he crossed home plate, as if to signal he had silenced the previously awed crowd.
Mitch mashes
DH Mitch Moreland hit a solo home run in the fourth inning and has been swinging a good bat for nearly the entire spring. Moreland leads the team with four home runs and 12 RBIs.
Still streaking
Elvis Andrus went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and extended his hitting streak to 13 games. Andrus also added his second home run of the spring in the fifth inning when he launched a two-run shot high off the center field batter's eye. He is hitting .412 this spring.
Replacement player
Drew Robinson replaced Jeff Baker (sinus) at third base in the bottom of the third inning. Baker was 0-for-1. In his place, Robinson went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, was hit by a pitch and scored a run.
Battered and bruised
Reds starter Mat Latos left the game with two outs in the sixth inning after Rangers catcher Geovany Soto hit a ground ball off the right-hander's right shin.
Ross in relief
LHP Robbie Ross made his first appearance as a reliever this spring and pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out three. Ross was one of the many pitchers who competed this spring for the open fifth starter spot in the rotation. Ross pitched well out of the bullpen during his rookie season in 2012, which was part of the reason why he was taken out of the starter's competition on Thursday.
Tateyama returns
RHP Yoshinori Tateyama was signed to a minor league deal, the Rangers announced Saturday. Tateyama was re-assigned to minor league camp on Tuesday.
Scheppers shines
RHP Tanner Scheppers pitched his fourth straight scoreless outing after allowing only two hits in two innings of relief Saturday. He hasn't allowed a run in his past five innings.
What's next?
Texas returns to Surprise to close out the home-and-home set against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. CT at Surprise Stadium. RHP Alexi Ogando (1-1, 4.11) is the scheduled starter for Texas. RHP Bronson Arroyo (1-1, 3.09) will take the mound for Cincinnati. The game can be seen live on TXA21.