SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – It was difficult even for the Texas Rangers to watch.

In Monday's game, San Francisco starter Noah Lowry continued to battle control issues that were reminiscent of "Steve Blass Disease," where pitchers simply can no longer come close to the plate.

Lowry walked the first five batters he faced and seven in the first inning. He came back out to start the second, but issued consecutive walks and was removed. He threw 50 pitches, but just 12 for strikes. Lowry walked three batters in 1 1/3 innings in his first spring start last week.

"I don't know if I even want to talk about it," said second baseman Ian Kinsler, who took a four-pitch walk to start the game. "You never want to see anyone struggle like that. I didn't think anything of it at first because I was just the first hitter. I just hope he's healthy."

Said Michael Young, who walked to load the bases in the first: "It's a difficult thing to go through. Even though you are trying to beat the other team, you want to beat them by executing. You don't like to see something like that happen."

Lowry's struggles seemed to have an impact on the rest of the game. The other pitchers combined to walk 10 batters, also. Rangers starter A.J. Murray walked two in the first inning, including one with the bases loaded. Murray acknowledged that the long top of the first might have had some impact on his command problems in the bottom of the inning.

Blalock scratched: After starting at third base in each of the first three exhibitions, Hank Blalock experienced some soreness in the back of his right shoulder and was scratched from Monday's trip.

Blalock did not play third base last year after undergoing surgery in May to remove a rib that was pressing against an artery. He returned to the lineup as a designated hitter, but forearm soreness kept him from playing the field. Manager Ron Washington said the soreness was minor and that Blalock was likely to only miss a day or two.

Briefly: CF Josh Hamilton has not played the field since Friday. He was the DH on Sunday but was not on the trip to Scottsdale. ... RHP Wes Littleton is still absent from camp, tending to a family illness.