Spring Training Game 11: San Diego (6-5) vs. Texas (2-7-1)

Eric Stults (0-1, 36.00)

vs.

Yu Darvish (0-0, 0.00)

Spring Training Game 11: San Diego (6-5) at Texas (2-7-1), 2:05 pm CT

The Padres and Rangers will meet for the first time in 2013 on Monday, as San Diego travels to Surprise to take on Texas.  San Diego has won three spring games in a row, including a 4-0 shutout win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.  The Padres have been led offensively this spring by one of their top prospects, infielder Jedd Gyorko.  Gyorko has knocked three homers this spring, but enters today's game with a batting average of only .286.  Alexi Amarista, who is competing with Gyorko for the starting second base job, also has a .286 batting average but has driven in seven runs for the Padres.

The Rangers should get a boost in their lineup on Monday, as it appears Adrian Beltre is ready to make his spring debut in 2013.  The Rangers hope that Beltre can sustain the success he has had in Texas, hitting a combined 68 home runs during his two seasons while driving in over 100 runs in each of the two years.  Beltre hit .321 last season and won a Gold Glove for his defensive play at third base.

San Diego will send left-handed pitcher Eric Stults out to start on the mound.  Stults is 0-1 this spring with a 36.00 ERA.  Stults started in his only appearance this spring, last Wednesday against the Athletics.  In one inning of work, Stults allowed four hits and four runs while walking one batter as well.  For his career, Stults has a 16-13 record in 39 career starts, but he has appeared in 61 total games.  Stults was 8-3 last season with the Padres in 14 starts.  Stults has pitched for the Dodgers, Rockies, Padres and White Sox since making his big league debut in 2006.

Expected to make the start for Texas is Yu Darvish.  Darvish enters his second spring with the Rangers looking to build on a 16 win performance in 2012.  Darvish got his first spring start last Tuesday against the White Sox, pitching two perfect innings, but not earning the win.  Darvish collected his first two strikeouts of 2013 against Chicago and did not allow any walks.  The Rangers will be hoping Darvish can work his magic a little longer today, as the Rangers need a positive performance to brighten their spirits after the loss of Martin Perez from the rotation on Sunday.

Other Spring Training Action Today:

Grapefruit League:

Houston at Detroit, 12:05 pm CT

Minnesota at St. Louis, 12:05 pm CT

Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 12:05 pm CT
Atlanta at N.Y. Mets, 12:10 pm CT

Tampa Bay at Boston, 12:35 pm CT

Cactus League:

L.A. Angels at Oakland, 2:05 pm CT
Cleveland at Chicago Cubs, 2:05 pm CT
Colorado at Seattle, 2:05 pm CT
San Francisco at Chicago White Sox, 2:05 pm CT

Notes:  Monday is the first "light" day of the spring, as only five games in each league will take place.  Lance Lynn will start for the Cardinals in their match-up with Minnesota.  Lynn gave up two runs in two innings in his first spring start, but managed to get the win.  Tim Hudson will get his third start of the spring on Monday against the New York Mets.  Hudson has pitched five innings, allowing just two hits and two runs in his previous two starts and earning one win.  One of the new Angels, Jason Vargas will make his first spring start on Monday against the Athletics.  Vargas was 14-11 last season for the Seattle Mariners, and is expected to be a key contributor for the Angels in 2013.