SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Some takeaways and observations from the Rangers' day of split-squad exhibitions in which they were swept by Milwaukee (5-0 at Surprise) and Cleveland (3-2 at Goodyear):
Best pitch: Eddie Gamboa acknowledged that wet conditions made it challenging to throw his knuckleball Monday, but made up for it with another effective toss -- the pickoff throw. Gamboa picked off Lewis Brinson at second in the first inning after the former Rangers prospect led off with a double. Gamboa got four outs on the bases in two scoreless innings, though he allowed four hits.
"My father used to make me work on that move all the time, so much that I cried a couple of times," Gamboa said.