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Wilson does well in first starter audition

Rangers lefty allows two runs, one hit in three innings

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By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com

03/10/10 6:37 PM ET

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- C.J. Wilson spent the winter visualizing success on the mound as a starter.

He spent Wednesday afternoon trying to make those visions a reality.

Pitching for the first time as a starter this spring, Wilson was charged with two runs on one hit in three innings in a 6-3 loss to the Mariners. Wilson struck out two batters, issued one walk and threw two wild pitches in the 50-pitch outing.

He is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation but could end up back in the familiar role as the team's left-handed setup man.

"I ended up throwing my full allotment of pitches, which is good," Wilson said. "The thing they have been stressing with me a lot is minimizing big innings and just going out there and challenging guys to hit the ball and put it in play."

That's what Wilson did.

He gave up a single to Ichiro Suzuki to start the game and threw a wild pitch to the next hitter, Chone Figgins. He recovered to retire the next six batters in order.

The lefty walked Josh Wilson to lead off the third inning and threw another wild pitch, this time with Jack Wilson at the plate. Josh Wilson eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Ichiro.

"Other than the two wild pitches, he really went out there and threw the ball over the plate," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He did a good job."

Wilson, a starter in the Minor Leagues, said he focused on his changeups and cut fastballs against the Mariners and plans on throwing his slider the next time he gets on the mound.

Figuring out -- or remembering -- when to throw the right pitch is part of Wilson's development as a starter.

"I would say that a lot of the stuff is still there. It never went completely away," Wilson said. "It's just a little dusty and I'm just trying to brush the dust off."

Neftali Feliz relieved Wilson and struck out three batters in the fourth. In the fifth, the Mariners scored four runs off the Rangers pitching prospect.

"He started elevating his fastball and could no longer get his secondary pitch over," Washington said. "Once you start getting your fastball up, all you have to do is put the bat on it, and that's what they did."

The Rangers have other matters to consider.

Left fielder Nelson Cruz was removed from Wednesday's lineup against the Mariners because of tight hamstrings but will be in the lineup Thursday against the Rockies in Tucson. Cruz is hitting .444 this spring.

The pain catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia feels in his right pectoral muscle near the incision of his surgery is being caused by scar tissue. Saltalamacchia, who was scratched from Tuesday's lineup, said his arm feels fine and can play if necessary.

"It probably won't be until the weekend when he plays but there is no real damage or harm he can do to himself," Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levin said. "It's just really uncomfortable right now. We're going to let that calm down."

Jesse Sanchez is a national reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.