Buzz: Neftali Feliz happy with command

May, 9, 2012
5/09/12
4:57
PM CT
BALTIMORE -- If not for Josh Hamilton's four-homer game, Texas Rangers starter Neftali Feliz would have been the story of Tuesday's game.

After a rough start in Toronto, when he gave up four runs on four hits in five innings, Feliz spent time between starts focused on fastball command. His location was better Tuesday as he held the Orioles to one run on four hits in six innings for a quality start.

"I was working on mechanics," Feliz said through a translator. "I was opening up too much."

Feliz said he feels good physically as he settles into a routine between starts. He's slated to pitch Sunday night against Jered Weaver in the finale of the Angels series.

Other notes:

* Mike Napoli is not in tonight's game, but he's healthy. Manager Ron Washington said he just wanted to give him a day off and get Brandon Snyder in the game at third against a lefty. It's rare to see Napoli not playing against a left-handed starter, but the catcher has been struggling. He's just 4-for-27 (.148) on this road trip.

* Adrian Beltre said he feels good and is ready to play the field, but he won't Wednesday because of the threat of wet weather. Washington said he isn't taking any chances, but that Beltre will be back out there on Thursday if the weather is fine.

* Feliz has spent some time with former Ranger Pedro Strop while in Baltimore. The two are close friends and Strop is part of the Orioles bullpen.
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.

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TEAM LEADERS

WINS LEADER
Yu Darvish
WINS ERA SO IP
7 2.84 91 66
OTHER LEADERS
BAI. Kinsler .302
HRN. Cruz 11
RBIN. Cruz 33
RE. Andrus 29
OPSM. Moreland .905
ERAY. Darvish 2.84
SOY. Darvish 91

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