Around the Nation (Feb. 28): Lance Berkman singles, scores twice in Texas debut as Rangers pummel Cleveland Indians 10-0

Associated Press Published:

Associated Press

BASEBALL

Berkman shines, Texas blanks Indians 10-0

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Lance Berkman knows he has rust. He's not sure how much.

Berkman singled, walked and scored two runs in his Rangers' spring training debut, a 10-0 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday that gave Texas its first exhibition victory this year after an 0-5 start.

Limited to 32 games last year with St. Louis and coming off a pair of knee operations, Berkman was held out of the first six exhibition games because of a strained right calf.

A six-time All-Star, Berkman had just 81 at-bats last season.

In his second outing for the Indians, Daisuke Matsuzaka gave up a two-run homer to Mitch Moreland. Dice-K, Cleveland's third pitcher, allowed four hits in two innings.

An 18-game winner in 2008 with Boston who had elbow surgery in 2011, Matsuzaka signed a minor league contract on Feb. 13 with the Indians and is competing for one of two vacancies in the rotation. He pitched two hitless innings against Cincinnati in his Indians' exhibition debut.

"Condition-wise I didn't feel as good as I did during my first outing," Matsuzaka said through an interpreter. "I was hoping to hold them to zeros, but I was unable to do that. I'm trying out a few different routines as I prepare for each outing. My routine was a little different from my first outing."

Rookie Trevor Bauer pitched two perfect innings, but the Rangers hit four other pitchers hard.

"It's just one of those days you're glad it's spring training," new Indians manager Terry Francona said.

GOLF

Villegas takes lead with late eagle at Honda

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- With one great shot, Camilo Villegas turned a solid round into his lowest start in more than a year.

Villegas drilled a 3-wood into 8 feet on the par-5 18th hole and made the eagle putt for a 6-under 64.

That gave him a one-shot lead over Rickie Fowler, Branden Grace, Graham DeLaet and Robert Streb after the first round of the Honda Classic.

Ben Curtis (Kent State) fired an even-par 70 in the first round, while Colt Knost (Garrettsville) shot a 2-over-par 72.

FOOTBALL

Salary cap increases to $123 million

An NFL Players Association official familiar with the league's salary-cap negotiations tells The Associated Press the figure for the 2013 season will rise to $123 million from $120.6 million in 2012.

The increase is a result of greater-than-expected revenues last season -- primarily from NFL Properties -- and a jump in projected league revenues, according to the official.

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