Cubs' Cade Horton focused on spring-training 'process' as he allows six runs to Rangers

SURPRISE, Ariz. — When Cubs right-hander Cade Horton evaluated Rangers infielder Josh Smith’s at-bat in the second inning Tuesday, the problem wasn’t so much the fastball he hit over the fence. It was the two curveballs before that, which crossed the plate too low to be competitive.

‘‘I got myself into a bad count,’’ Horton said after coming out of the Cubs’ 8-3 loss to the Rangers. ‘‘I couldn’t land a curveball, so guess what? He’s ready for the heater 3-2 because he knows those weren’t competitive. He’s ready to hit it.’’

Horton, however, walked away from a rough spring outing, in which he allowed six runs in 3⅔ innings, with several goals accomplished. He wanted to work on landing his curveball and slider better, an area of improvement he identified from his last start. And he hoped to iron out the tempo of his delivery.

His final line was bad, but it didn’t reflect the in-game victories he expects will set him up for the regular season.

‘‘What I talk about all the time is living in the process and not the results,’’ Horton said. ‘‘The results, they can sometimes lie to you. If I was living in the results, I’d be really disappointed right now. But I think I got good work in today.

‘‘If that was to happen during the season, I think I handled it well. It’s not like it was Houston, where the wheels were falling off. I remained in control of myself. I was able to go put up a zero in the third [inning] and make pitches.’’

When Horton mentioned Houston, he was referring to a turning point in his rookie season. It was the only outing last season when the game sped up on him. And he used that bump in the road as a springboard to one of the best performances in the majors after the All-Star break.

Horton’s even-keeled evaluation of his start was another sign of growth. He partially credited the book ‘‘Chop Wood Carry Water’’ for the shift in his mindset.

‘‘Last year, I would’ve gotten really worked up about this,’’ Horton said, ‘‘But this year, I feel like I’m really just focused on the process. It really is all about getting ready for Opening Day.’’

Horton’s first inning was a perfect example of misleading results. He got the first two hitters he faced, Brandon Nimmo and Wyatt Langford, to make soft contact on pitches on or near the edge of the strike zone — exactly what he was trying to do.

Both, however, got bloop hits. So when Horton missed down the middle with a fastball to Corey Seager, it resulted in a three-run homer.

‘‘You look at the scoresheet, and you’re like, ‘Oh, he gave up two hits and then gave up a three-run shot,’ ’’ Horton said. ‘‘Well, it’s not really like that. I made two really good pitches, and they just dunked in. And one swing later, you’re behind.’’

Other than in the second against Smith, Horton said his curveball and slider felt the best they have all spring. He pointed to Seager’s at-bat in the third as the perfect counterpoint to Smith’s homer.

Horton threw a first-pitch curveball to Seager, clipping the bottom of the strike zone. Seager lifted it to left field for a routine fly.

‘‘I’ve still got a 0.00 ERA in the [regular] season,’’ Horton said. ‘‘So there’s no reason to get frustrated.’’

Rangers 8, Cubs 3

Cubs right-hander Cade Horton hadn’t given up a run in two previous spring starts, but that streak ended with a bang when he allowed six runs and six hits Tuesday against the Rangers. Three of those hits were home runs. He also walked two and struck out two.

• Utility player Matt Shaw, playing center field, hit his first home run of the spring.

• The Cubs managed only two hits in three innings against veteran Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom.

• On deck: Royals at Cubs, 3:05 p.m. Wednesday, Mesa, Mitch Spence vs. Colin Rea.