GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Michael Kopech was solid in his second Cactus League start, striking out four over three innings Sunday afternoon against the Texas Rangers at Camelback Ranch. The 20-year-old right-hander, in the first inning, struck out Joey Gallo and James Loney on upper-90's fastballs and whiffed Will Middlebrooks on a tight slider, flashing the explosive repertoire that made him such an enticing part of December's Chris Sale blockbuster.
Kopech allowed a run on Delino DeShields' single and Nomar Mazara's double to begin Sunday's game (a Geovany Soto throwing error trying to snuff out DeShields' stolen base contributed, too), but settled down after, allowing only two more baserunners.