The Associated Press

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Jason Marquis had a crisp outing on the mound and avoided controversy off the field.

Spring training is looking a lot better for the Cubs' right-hander.

Marquis threw three shutout innings in the Cubs' 2-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Thursday, and, afterward, explained his recent dissatisfaction with his role.

"It's early in the camp, and I have faith in my ability," Marquis said after giving up four hits, walking one and striking out one. "I'm working on things that will help me get outs in the regular season."

After his last start, Marquis said he was angry because it appeared that Cubs manager Lou Piniella did not consider him a lock in the starting rotation. After his solid outing against the A's, Marquis said it was just a misunderstanding.

"We didn't get to speak with each other, it was a miscommunication," Marquis said. "It's behind us and it's all baseball now. I just wanted to talk to him in person and show him that we're both on the same page."

Marquis has not missed a start in four years, including his first season with the NL Central Division champions when he made 33 starts and was 12-9.

He has allowed one run in five spring innings.

The A's scored twice in the bottom of the eighth on Jeff Baisley's RBI single and first baseman Micah Hoffpauir's ensuing throwing error.

White Sox fall to Rangers: The Texas Rangers are looking for a healthy, consistent starter. Vincente Padilla might be that pitcher.

Padilla allowed just an unearned run in three innings Thursday, and the Rangers beat the White Sox 6-1.

Padilla, who missed seven weeks last season with elbow and triceps injuries, gave up one hit. He walked two and struck out two.

White Sox starter Charlie Haeger worked three innings, allowing three runs and five hits. He struck out two and walked two.

Travis Metcalf hit a two-run homer in the first inning off Haeger. David Murphy and Chris Davis each added solo home runs against the White Sox.

The White Sox managed just three hits, all singles. Jermaine Dye, Paul Phillips and Jason Bourgeois each had a hit.

News and notes: Albert Pujols has a "high-grade tear" of his elbow ligament, but, as he announced when he arrived at the St. Louis Cardinals' spring training home in mid-February, he won't have surgery. Cardinals team physician Dr. George Paletta confirmed the diagnosis and said that Pujols will need reconstructive surgery at some point, but not immediately.

Red Sox re-sign Papelbon: The Boston Red Sox and closer Jonathan Papelbon agreed to a $775,000, one-year contract, nearly doubling his salary.

Lowry out: San Francisco Giants pitcher Noah Lowry will have surgery on his left forearm today after a recent bout of wildness and is probably out until the end of April.

Kent not seriously injured: Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent said his pulled hamstring did not require any tests and he will be back hitting today -- his 40th birthday. Kent injured his right hamstring while sprinting during pregame warmups Wednesday at the New York Mets' spring training facility and likely won't play for a week.