Los Angeles @ Texas preview

LA Angels at Texas

Last Meeting ( Apr 5, 2013 ) LA Angels 2, Texas 3

Josh Hamilton provided Texas Rangers’ fans with plenty of opportunity to boo and cheer him in his hitless return to the Lone Star State. The struggling five-time All Star will attempt to draw a bit more attention with his bat Saturday when his Los Angeles Angels continue their three-game road series with Texas. Hamilton, who left the Rangers to sign a five-year, $125 million contract with Los Angeles in the off-season, went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Friday’s series opener. The performance left him with one hit in his first 16 at-bats with the Angels, who have lost three straight.

Although he didn’t factor into the decision, Derek Holland turned in the Rangers’ third consecutive strong outing from a starter when he allowed two runs and struck out five over seven frames. Nelson Cruz and A.J. Pierzynski sparked the offense with three-hit games while Ian Kinsler drove home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning of a 3-2 victory – a run that scored when Hamilton’s throw from right field bounced past catcher Chris Iannetta.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Tommy Hanson (2012: 13-10, 4.48 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Matt Harrison (0-1, 7.94)

Hanson had the look of a future ace when he burst onto the scene in 2009 with the Atlanta Braves, but injuries have dogged him in each of the last two seasons – including a shoulder issue in 2012 – and led to a decrease in velocity. Acquired in an off-season trade for reliever Jordan Walden, the 26-year-old went 0-2 with a 5.89 ERA in the spring, but allowed one run and struck out six over 6 1/3 innings in his final exhibition start. Hanson has never faced Texas, but Pierzynski is 3-for-3 with two RBIs against him.

While he struck out nine batters Sunday, Harrison was charged with six runs (five earned) and six hits in the Rangers’ season-opening loss against the light-hitting Houston Astros. It was an uncharacteristic performance for the 27-year-old, who yielded five earned runs or more in only four of his 32 starts in 2012, two of which came over his first five outings. Harrison enjoyed little success against the Angels last season (1-2 with a 5.30 ERA in three starts) and has struggled against them in his career (3-4, 4.71 ERA in 12 appearances).

WALK-OFFS

1. Albert Pujols and Hamilton have combined for two hits in their first 30 at-bats.

2. The Rangers matched their season high with 12 hits Friday, but stranded a season-high 11 runners.

3. Iannetta’s 2-for-3 effort Friday matched his hit total at Rangers Ballpark last season (2-for-13).

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Rangers 4