"Last year, I wanted to hang myself with a belt," McCarthy said. "Being healthy and having the opportunity to work between starts has been huge. I have been able to work between starts, make some mechanical adjustments in between starts, which is a change from years past. Even when I was pitching, I was kind of prohibited from doing much work between starts. Right now, I feel confident and in a groove."

The biggest addition to his repertoire has been the change to his breaking pitch. McCarthy calls it a slider, but scouts have said it's more "slurvy." Either way, it's been effective. He was also able to fine-tune some things with the pitch after his first start of the season. In each of his next two starts, he's gone six innings and allowed three runs.

McCarthy and Kevin Millwood are the only Rangers pitchers who have posted quality starts this season. Millwood has had quality starts in all three of his games. McCarthy went five innings and allowed three runs in his first start of the year.

RANGERS 5, BLUE JAYS 4: Frank Francisco pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings for his longest save since becoming the closer as the Rangers earned their first road win of the season. Francisco entered the game with a runner on first after C.J. Wilson had allowed a run-scoring single to bring Toronto within a run. Francisco allowed a single to Scott Rolen, then walked Lyle Overbay on four pitches to load the bases. He got Rod Barajas to line to third base for the second out, and then Travis Snider flied out to center. In the ninth, Francisco pitched around an Aaron Hill double for the save. Since taking over as Texas' closer late last August, Francisco is 7-for-7 in save opportunities and is 2-0. He has not allowed an earned run in 18 innings and is holding opponents to a .113 batting average.