PEORIA, Ariz. -- Josh Hamilton still finds ways to surprise his Texas teammates.
Hamilton began his 3-for-3 performance by bunting for a single with a runner on base during a four-run first inning, and the Rangers beat the San Diego Padres 9-4 on Wednesday.
Ian Kinsler also had three hits in three at-bats and Nelson Cruz smacked a three-run homer for the Rangers, who built a quick 6-0 lead. Brandon McCarthy threw four hitless innings to keep the Padres winless against AL teams this spring (0-8-2).
But Hamilton's bunt was the most popular postgame topic.
"I thought, is he kidding? I guess all our hitters are trying to show they can do everything," McCarthy said. "All of these guys are just a freak show right now. If they're not hitting home runs or doubles, they're bunting or stealing bases. Kinsler (batting .417) is just done. He can go to Texas right now and we'll meet him there."
Some thought Hamilton, hitting .439 with 15 RBI in 14 spring training games, might be doing the Padres a favor by bunting. He looks at it as a way to expand his game.
"If we're a couple of runs down or we need to get something started, I'm going to do whatever it takes to help," he said. "I figured out I'm a pretty good bunter if I just stay there and bunt instead of trying to run to first before I bunt."
Not many third-place hitters have bunting in their bag of tricks, especially one who knocked in 130 runs last year. Hamilton said he bunted once in the minor leagues and was fined $50 for it. But first base coach Gary Pettis was encouraging him as he ran down the line and manager Ron Washington gave him a tip of the cap from the dugout.
"Why can't I be different? Why can't I start a new trend?" Hamilton said. "The object is to win ballgames. If me laying down bunts and setting something up for the people behind me is the right call, so be it. Yes, I like to drive in runs in, but if I can be a guy on the bases other people are driving in and it helps just as much, fine."
McCarthy faced only one batter more than the minimum -- one of the two walks he issued was wiped out by a caught stealing. The Padres got their first hit when Kyle Blanks doubled with one out in the sixth, and he scored when Will Venable followed with a single.
McCarthy has a 1.80 ERA this spring. He threw four scoreless innings of two-hit ball in his previous outing, in the same park against the Seattle Mariners.
The Rangers didn't wait long to start hitting, taking a 4-0 lead after just four hitters against Cesar Ramos. Kinsler singled, went to second on an error and scored on a single by Frank Catalanotto. Hamilton then singled before Cruz launched his three-run shot to left field.
Ramos allowed five runs and seven hits in three innings, with his spring ERA ballooning to 11.42.
"His fastball had some life. He threw a couple of good changeups," San Diego manager Bud Black said. "Overall I liked his arm speed - it was just a matter of location."
Notes
Rangers LHP Eddie Guardado is experiencing shoulder soreness consistent with what he felt last season. Guardado, who last pitched on March 12, will undergo further evaluation. Padres RHP Mark Worrell went back to San Diego to have his injured elbow looked at by team doctors. "We're just making sure," Black said. "It doesn't look great." OF Drew Macias hit his second home run of the spring for San Diego, a two-run shot in the ninth inning.
