Texas @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 22, 2013 ) Texas 7, LA Angels 6

The Los Angeles Angels will try to avoid falling further behind in the American League West standings when they host the Texas Rangers in the middle game of their three-game series Tuesday. The Angels blew a three-run seventh-inning lead in Monday’s series opener and lost 7-6 on a solo home run by A.J. Pierzynski with two outs in the ninth. The Angels appeared headed in the right direction after sweeping the visiting Detroit Tigers last weekend, helping erase the memories of a franchise-worst 4-10 start, but head into Tuesday's game 5 1/2 games behind the first-place Rangers.

One good sign from Monday was the 4-for-4 night from right fielder Josh Hamilton, particularly the three hits off Texas left-hander Derek Holland. Hamilton entered the game hitting 1-for-19 off left-handers this season, and manager Mike Scioscia dropped him from cleanup to fifth in the batting order as a result. The Rangers pounded out 15 hits Monday. Mitch Moreland and Elvin Andrus struggled through the first 17 games this season, but each has collected four hits in the last two games for the Rangers.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest (Texas), Fox Sports West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Alexi Ogando (2-1, 3.32 ERA) vs. Angels LH Jason Vargas (0-2, 6.75)

Ogando is looking for a bounce-back performance after lasting 2 1/3 innings Thursday in a 6-2 loss to the Cubs. To his defense, he struggled with a muddy mound as a result of rainy conditions leading up to the game. Before that start, Ogando had been 5-0 with a 1.88 ERA in eight career starts in April. Ogando is perfect against the Angels in his career, winning all three starts and owning a 1.72 ERA overall in 20 appearances. He made eight brief relief appearances against the Angels last season after posting his three victories as a starter in 2011. He is 2-0 at Angel Stadium with a 2.35 ERA.

Vargas has failed to live up to expectations in Anaheim. He threw 91 pitches in his last start but only recorded 10 outs before he was pulled in the 8-6 loss to the Minnesota Twins. He pitched his best game for Los Angeles in the season opener against the Rangers, allowing one earned run and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. He left with the Angels leading 2-1, but the bullpen faltered and the Rangers rallied for a 3-2 victory. Vargas has historically been knocked around by Texas. He’s 4-6 with a 4.48 ERA in his career against the Rangers, allowing 15 home runs, five more than the second-most he allowed against a team.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers OF Nelson Cruz, the only Texas starter who did not record a hit Monday, is 9-for-29 in his career with three home runs against Vargas.

2. Texas RHP Nick Tepesch is expected to make his regular start Thursday against the Twins. He was struck in the right wrist by a line drive off the bat of Seattle's Jesus Montero in Saturday's game and removed for precautionary reasons. He threw his regular bullpen Monday, however.

3. Hamilton is coming off his first four-hit game since belting four home runs last May.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Angels 2