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Jul 6, 2009 - 5:21 AM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Texas (44-35) at Los Angeles (44-35), 10:05 p.m. EDT

Vladimir Guerrero is unlikely to be back in right field Monday night after making a long-awaited return to his position. However, it's his bat and not his glove that the Los Angeles Angels need in the lineup as they try to end their struggles against the Texas Rangers this season.

Guerrero and the Angels host the streaking Rangers for the first time this year as the AL West co-leaders open a three-game set.

Starting his first game in right this season following a 35-game stint on the disabled list that has limited him to designated hitting duties, Guerrero hit a tying two-run homer in Sunday's 9-6 win over Baltimore. He has homered in consecutive games for the first time since July 19-20, and is 10 for 29 (.345) with seven RBIs over his last seven games.

"We are going to slowly fold him into the rotation," manager Mike Scioscia told the Angels' official Web site after his team improved to 3-1 on its 10-game homestand. "He won't be playing back-to-back games any time soon, but it is important for him to get re-adjusted out there in right."

In 90 games against Texas, Guerrero is batting .397 with 22 home runs and 63 RBIs. He was 6 for 13 with two doubles as Los Angeles (45-35) lost two of three in Arlington in a series that ended Wednesday.

The 2004 AL MVP was on the DL when the Angels were swept at Rangers Ballpark from May 15-17.

All-Star center fielder Torii Hunter was 1 for 7 in that series and is batting .211 against the Rangers in 2009. Hunter, though, hit .357 (10 for 28) as Los Angeles and Texas split 10 meetings in Anaheim last season.

Jered Weaver (8-3, 3.10 ERA) takes the mound as the Angels go for their sixth win in seven home games. Weaver has been one of the major leagues' best pitchers at home this season, going 5-1 with a 1.83 ERA and .190 opponents' batting average.

Weaver, though, is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in two starts versus the Rangers this year. The right-hander did not get a decision Wednesday after yielding a season-high seven runs and eight hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 9-7 loss to Texas.

Hank Blalock hit a walkoff two-run homer with two out in the ninth as the Rangers defeated the Angels for the seventh time in nine matchups dating to last season.

Blalock is 10 for 24 with two homers versus Weaver.

Texas (45-35) will get a boost Monday as it goes for its sixth consecutive victory with All-Star outfielder Josh Hamilton rejoining the team. Hamilton, who underwent abdominal surgery and has been on the disabled list since June 2, completed his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

"It's time for Josh to get back here and start doing something for us," Texas manager Ron Washington said.

Rangers ace Kevin Millwood (8-5, 2.80) makes his third start against the Angels this season. He yielded four runs over 6 1-3 innings Wednesday after going 4-1 with a 1.30 ERA in his previous five outings.

Millwood, who defeated Los Angeles 10-8 with six innings of two-run ball May 15, is 1-3 with a 3.31 ERA in his last five starts in Anaheim.

Rangers outfielder David Murphy had his second straight three-hit game Sunday as Texas completed a three-game sweep of Tampa Bay with a 5-2 victory. He has batted .389 in six career games at Angel Stadium.

Third baseman Michael Young is hitting .417 (10 for 24) versus the Angels this season.