RANGERS 11, CUBS 9
at Surprise, Ariz.
Friday, March 9

Cubs at the plate: Catcher Koyie Hill homered in the second inning with Tyler Colvin and Ronny Cedeno aboard. Matt Murton hit a two-run homer in the first. No. 1 draft pick Colvin added a solo blast in the eighth inning.

Rangers at the plate: Michael Young went 4-for-4, all singles. Sammy Sosa had an infield single in his first at-bat and has a hit in all six "A" games in which he has appeared. He also singled in the seventh. Marlon Byrd hit a two-run homer in the fourth.

Cubs on the mound: Left-hander Neal Cotts, who was making his third Spring Training appearance, gave up four runs, all unearned, on seven hits in two innings, while walking none and striking out one. Ben Howard gave up four runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings.

Rangers on the mound: Starter Brandon McCarthy surrendered five runs on seven hits, including two home runs, in two-plus innings. He walked one, struck out one and hit a batter. Bruce Chen pitched three scoreless innings, permitting four hits, walking two and striking out none.

Cactus League records: Cubs 5-4-1; Rangers 6-2.

Up next: Robinson Tejeda will be the Rangers' starter against the Giants on Saturday at Scottsdale Stadium. Barry Zito gets the call for San Francisco.

The Cubs will host the Brewers, with Jason Marquis taking the ball first. Claudio Vargas will be Milwaukee's starter.