Texas Rangers

Andrew Cashner made his first start for the Rangers in the season’s second week after recovering from bicep soreness. Although he took the loss, manager Jeff Banister was encouraged. Cashner, seeking to resurrect his career after signing a one-year, $10 million deal to be the Rangers’ No. 5 starter, is needed with Tyson Ross (shoulder) still on the mend.

“The sinking life on the fastball, the changeup looked to be an equalizer for him, and he was able to drive the four-seam fastball in and up,” Banister said.

The Rangers got a boost April 13 when Yu Darvish displayed the biting sinker that makes him so effective. Darvish struck out 10 in seven innings against the Angels to even his record at 1-1, but it’s not as if he had pitched that poorly in his previous outings. Instead, he was torpedoed by a lack of run support and shoddy bullpen work.

Third baseman Adrian Beltre is still bothered by a strained calf that has prevented him from playing this season. Indications were that Beltre wasn’t close to returning.