Pudge homers in first at-bat of spring for Rangers

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) _ Texas catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who missed the final six weeks of last season after knee surgery, homered in his first at-bat of the spring Wednesday. <br><br>After a week in

Thursday, February 28th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) _ Texas catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who missed the final six weeks of last season after knee surgery, homered in his first at-bat of the spring Wednesday.

After a week in camp, the Rangers played their first intrasquad game.

Rodriguez's homer came in the first inning off Hideki Irabu, who is trying to make the Rangers' roster. Irabu was the losing pitcher, allowing five hits and two runs over two innings.

Rodriguez, a 10-time All-Star, is going into the final year of a $42 million, five-year extension he signed after the 1997 season. He spent the winter rehabilitating his left knee following surgery for tendinitis.

Chris Magruder, trying to make the team as a reserve outfielder, had three hits, including a two-run homer off Steve Woodard. Mark Teixiera, the Rangers' No. 1 draft pick last year, was 3-for-3 and scored twice.

Kenny Rogers was the winning pitcher in the game. The veteran left-hander allowed five hits and one run over three innings. He struck out five, including Alex Rodriguez twice, and didn't walk a batter.

John Rocker pitched two innings, allowing an unearned run and three hits. He struck out two.

Of the nine pitchers that played in the game, only left-hander Mario Ramos didn't allow a run. Ramos, acquired from Oakland in a trade, allowed one hit and struck out one while facing seven hitters.

The team on which Rodriguez and Rogers played, coached by Terry Francona, won 7-5 in the nine-inning game.

Notes: RHP Jeremi Gonzalez was hit in the right biceps by a shot off the bat of Ed Sprague in the sixth inning. Gonzalez was removed from the game, but his injury wasn't considered serious. ... RHP Ryan Dittfurth (tender right shoulder), the Rangers minor league pitcher of the year in 2001, has received a clean bill of health by Dr. John Conway.