Berkman is a career .296 hitter who debuted for the Houston Astros way back in 1999. As a member of the "Killer B's" in Houston, Berkman put up huge numbers when it came to home runs and runs batted in. Berkman had averages as high as .331 back in 2001, and hit a career high in homers back in 2006 with 45 long balls for the Astros.
During the 2010 season, Berkman was traded from Houston to the New York Yankees. Fans in Houston were saddened to see the last of their heroes from the 2000's gone from the team. But for Berkman, it was a chance to go out as a winner, as many thought his career was just about done. The Yankees reached the postseason in 2010, losing to the Rangers in the American League Championship Series. Berkman hit .313 during the playoffs, including one homer against Minnesota in the Wild Card series.
Berkman signed with the Cardinals following the 2010 season, and was a part of the St. Louis team that defeated Texas in the 2011 World Series. Berkman hit .426 in the World Series, collecting 11 hits in 26 at-bats against Texas, including a home run and a double.
The 2012 season was not a kind one to Berkman, as injuries took their toll, limiting him to just 81 at-bats. The Rangers are counting on Berkman to bounce back to his normal form as a .300 average hitter and hopefully they can get 25 homers and 95 RBI from the switch hitter who loves playing in Texas. And when Berkman homered on Wednesday to extend the Rangers lead to two runs, fans of the Rangers were smiling- almost as wide as he was.
Robbie Ross started for Texas, as he continues his bid to earn the final spot in the Rangers rotation. Ross went four innings allowing only four hits, with one of them being a solo home run to Scott Hairston in the first inning that gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead. Ross did not walk any batters and had one strikeout.
Alexi Ogando entered the game next for Texas, pitching three innings allowing two hits and one run, but registering six strikeouts and allowing two walks. Jason Frasor and Johan Yan each pitched scoreless innings to close out the game, with Frasor allowing one hit and Yan striking out two Cubs hitters.
Offensively for the Rangers, A.J. Pierzynski and Mitch Moreland each contributed two hits in three at-bats. Moreland got the scoring started for the Rangers in the bottom of the 2nd inning, when he singled to center field allowing David Murphy to score.
Ian Kinsler later scored Moreland in that same inning on a sacrifice fly to right field that gave Texas a 2-1 lead. Kinsler finished the game 0-1 with an RBI and a walk.
Julio Borbon started in right field and hit second in the lineup, going 0-3 with a strikeout. Craig Gentry also went 0-3, starting in center field. Those two got starts in the game Wednesday after the scratches of Leonys Martin and Mike Olt from the lineup. Olt had some dental work done on Wednesday, while Martin was scratched due to a tight hamstring that has him listed as day-to-day.
Jurickson Profar started at shortstop with Elvis Andrus participating in the World Baseball Classic, earning one hit in three plate appearances. Adrian Beltre started at third base and hit fourth, going 0-3 with a pair of strikeouts. David Murphy, who scored in the first inning, finished 1-3.
Jeff Baker, who replaced Beltre at third base, hit his third double of the spring in his lone plate appearance, while Yangervis Solarte, Jim Adduci, Brandon Allen and Aaron Cunningham each went without a hit in their one at-bat in the game.
Chicago started Hisanori Takahashi in the game, who is looking to earn a spot in the Cubs bullpen. Takahashi went three innings and allowed five hits and all three Rangers runs, but did have four strikeouts.
Next Up: Texas will be back on the road Thursday, traveling to Camelback Ranch to face the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers are 4-5 this spring and will be starting Chad Billingsley, who is 0-1 with a 10.38 ERA in Cactus League play. Randy Wells (0-0, 4.50 ERA) will get the start for Texas, as he looks to continue in the hunt for the final rotation spot when the season opens. The game is scheduled for 2:05 pm Central time.
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