03/17/2007

Associated Press

Kevin Millwood allowed just one unearned run in four innings of work as the Texas Rangers beat Seattle 4-1 on Saturday.

It was the first "A" game appearance of the spring for the Texas right-hander, after three "B" games in which he compiled a 2.84 ERA in eight innings against minor leaguers.

"I feel like I'm way ahead of where I was last year at this time," Millwood said. "I feel like my legs are a lot stronger, my arm's stronger, my pitches are further along than what they were last year at this time. I'm just closer to being ready to pitch in a big league game than I would have been this time last year."

Millwood threw around 50 pitches in the game, focusing much of the time on his changeup. He struck out both Adrian Beltre and Adam Jones in the first inning with that pitch.

Millwood was replaced by Kameron Loe, who continued to make a strong push for the No. 5 starting spot in the Texas rotation.

Loe allowed one hit in five shutout innings to get the save. He has not allowed a run in 13 2/3 innings pitched during Spring Training. Loe is battling Bruce Chen and Jamey Wright for the final starting spot.

"I love the competition," Loe said. "You gotta love it. If you can't handle this competition, you're not going to be able to handle it in the regular season. I'm feeding off of it, and I feel great."

Seattle scored once on Jose Guillen's single and had the bases loaded with one out in the first inning, but Millwood retired Jones and Mike Morse in succession to get out of the jam.

The Rangers took the lead with a two-run fifth inning on Ian Kinsler's sacrifice fly and an RBI single by Jay Hairston Jr. Brad Wilkerson cushioned the lead with a two-run homer in the sixth.

Seattle second baseman Willie Bloomquist went 0-for-4, snapping his seven-game hitting streak.

Notes:@ Texas third baseman Hank Blalock and his brother, Jake, a minor league left fielder in the Rangers system, played in the same game together for the first time since high school. ... The Rangers' Mark Teixera missed his fifth straight contest with a bruised left knee, but is expected back either Sunday or Tuesday. ... Seattle's Jose Guillen returned to play designated hitter after missing a pair of games with sore ribs. ... The Mariners wore green hats for St. Patrick's Day.