Hamilton Takes John Ely Deep In Rangers' Win Over Dodgers
SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) -- Adrian Beltre went 1 for 3 in his spring debut and Josh Hamilton hit his first home run to power the Texas Rangers past the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4 on Monday.
Beltre, who signed a six-year, $96 million contract with Texas in January, missed the first 15 games because of a strained right calf.
He ran hard on a third-inning grounder in the hole at short then singled in the fifth before giving way to a pinch runner.
Hamilton hit a three-run homer in the third off Dodgers starter John Ely, who allowed four runs -- three earned -- on six hits over four innings.
Texas starter Neftali Feliz scattered three hits and a run over four innings with a walk and five strikeouts.
After the game Feliz, the AL rookie of the year as a closer last season, said he's working for a spot in the Texas rotation.
Last week, he said he was more comfortable closing.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
