Vicente Padilla authored the sharpest outing by a Rangers pitcher this spring, working four innings of one-hit ball.

Padilla allowed just two baserunners and faced the minimum of 12 batters.

"I felt a lot more confident this time around and felt more comfortable today," said Padilla, who allowed three earned runs in his first start.

Padilla picked up his tempo from his first outing and worked on his split finger pitch and locating his fastball. Catcher Taylor Teagarden threw out two runners trying to steal second.

David Murphy and Josh Hamilton provided the Rangers' offense in the fifth inning. Murphy led off with a long homer to right field and Hamilton brought in another run with a groundout. Andruw Jones had two hits to raise his spring average to .273.

vs. Chicago Cubs, 2:05 p.m.

Radio: KRLD-AM (1080)

Rangers pitchers: Matt Harrison, Frank Francisco, Derek Holland, Jason Jennings, Casey Daigle

Cubs starter: Sean Marshall

Chris Davis got the day off, and he didn't mind the break. The first baseman has gotten off to a slow start, hitting .211 in 19 at-bats, with nine strikeouts. Davis isn't frustrated by the slow start, but he'd like to see his fortunes turn quickly.

"I'm still trying to get that feel," said Davis, who has four singles. "That's what we're out here for, to try and get that rhythm, that timing. My timing is off right now, and it's giving me a really uncomfortable feeling in the box."

Davis said he has a history of struggling in the spring. Last year, he hit .182 with the Rangers in spring training before he was sent to the minor leagues. He's entrenched as the first baseman this year, but he still feels like he needs to produce.

"Last year my thing was to come into spring training, get some at-bats in the big league camp and get ready for the season," Davis said. "I want to leave here comfortable and be ready to start the season."

Hank Blalock will begin the season at designated hitter, but that doesn't mean it will be his only job. Blalock started Saturday's game at first base for the second time. Manager Ron Washington said Blalock also will see some time at third base.

"Hank is used to being a two-sides-of-baseball type guy," Washington said. "He just wants to fit into what we're trying to do to be successful. I'm going to get him some games at first base, and once we get past the middle part of spring, I'm going to try and get him some at third also."

Blalock told Washington he still wanted to get some action at third base.

The Rangers will play an intrasquad game today before traveling to Mesa to play the Cubs. Thomas Diamond, Willie Eyre and Doug Mathis are scheduled to pitch in the intrasquad game.

The only player in camp who isn't playing is right-hander Joe Torres. He was scratched from his appearance Wednesday with lower back stiffness and has not begun a throwing program. ... Left-hander C.J. Wilson threw a bullpen session Saturday and said his left index finger feels fine. Wilson took a grounder off the finger in Thursday's exhibition game.