During Spring Training, starting pitchers like Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi have the luxury of being able to work on things without having to worry too much about results.

Players competing for roster spots do not have that same luxury as Spring Training results will determine which role they will begin the season in.

Up until now, Texas Rangers starter Jacob Latz has had a very good spring when it comes to results as he battles for the fifth starter position.

On Thursday night, Latz suffered his first real Spring Training blemish as he took the mound against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Latz went three innings, allowing eight hits, nine runs, seven of which were earned, with two walks and five strikeouts to go along with it.

The Rangers' offense was unable to match the Brewers' early onslaught as Texas fell 11-4, dropping its Cactus League record to 15-11.

Despite the tough outing, both Latz and Rangers manager Skip Schumaker did acknowledge there were some positives. But an outing like that certainly is not ideal for someone battling for a spot that is still up in the air with just days until Opening Day.

On the positive side, from a pitching perspective, Robert Garcia got the ball for the second time since returning from pitching with Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

Garcia went 1 2/3 perfect innings with three strikeouts. Yet it was another strong outing from Garcia, who is putting together a really solid Spring Training.

Jakob Junis also turned in a really good outing, going 1 1/3 no-hit innings, allowing just a walk while picking up four strikeouts.

Peyton Gray got the ball as well. He was able to continue his eye-popping Spring Training by striking out the side in a perfect inning of work.

Offensively, there weren’t a ton of regulars in the lineup with the Rangers being on the road in Phoenix.

Evan Carter led off the game playing center field, and he was able to pick up a pair of walks. Joc Pederson had a base hit in four at-bats while serving as the designated hitter.

Ezequiel Duran hit yet another home run as he continues to prove himself as worthy of an Opening Day roster spot. Alejandro Osuna also got the start and picked up a pair of base hits.

The Rangers will be back in action on Friday night as they welcome the San Francisco Giants to Surprise Staduim.

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