Milton Bradley tests knee in outfield as Rangers top Mariners 5-1

Milton Bradley tests knee in outfield as Rangers top Mariners 5-1

Texas Rangers' Milton Bradley is seen heading down the first base line during a game against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, March 22, 2008 in this file photo.

By Associated Press

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) - Milton Bradley's surgically repaired right knee passed a major test.

Bradley, making his first start in right field this spring, tripled and handled two chances during the first four innings of the Texas Rangers' 5-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.

"He looked awesome," Rangers manager Ron Washington said.

Bradley, limited to designated-hitter duty since making his Cactus League debut Friday, was replaced by Nelson Cruz in the top of the fifth.

Hank Blalock homered and drove in three runs for the Rangers, who finished 2-1 against their AL West rival.

Right-hander Miguel Batista surrendered four runs on six hits over five innings, and Adrian Beltre homered for the Mariners, who have lost four of five.

"I was healthy tonight," said Batista, who has been battling a sore back all spring. "There was no pain at all and I was able to do something I haven't done all spring training - I let the ball go tonight. Health is the big issue. I want to get that out of the way. It's the only way I can be reliable."

Bradley recorded the first out of the game when he settled under Ichiro Suzuki's high fly to straightaway right field. In the bottom of the first, Bradley followed Blalock's two-run homer with a triple off the right-field wall, barely beating the relay to the bag after a slight bobble round second.

Frank Catalanotto singled Bradley home to give Texas a 3-0 lead.

"He scared the heck out of me when he stumbled, turning that ball into a triple," Washington said. "It was him he was trying to prove it to. Where that ball was he said, 'It's a triple, not a double."'

Beltre homered to deep left in the fourth to pull the Mariners within 3-1, but Ian Kinsler put the Rangers back in front 4-1 with an RBI double in the bottom of the inning.

Blalock added an RBI single in the seventh.
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