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Angels try to get on track vs. Rangers

Aug 16, 2011 - 2:38 PM (Sports Network) - If the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are going to make a serious run at an American League West title they better start turning it around. Tonight would be a good start when they play the second of four games against the division-leading Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium.

The Rangers pushed their lead to five games over the Angels in Monday's opener, as Nelson Cruz and Mike Napoli hit back-to-back homers to cap a six- run fifth inning, propelling Texas to an 8-4 victory.

Ian Kinsler finished with four hits, including two doubles, at the top of the Texas order and scored three times. Michael Young added three hits and drove in two for the Rangers, who were coming off a three-game sweep of the Athletics in Oakland.

Alexi Ogando (12-5) pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed eight hits and two walks to nail down the win.

"At times I was a little wild, but I did the best I could with the things I had," Ogando said.

The Angels' Hisanori Takahashi gave up the bulk off the Rangers' runs, allowing four in one inning of relief. His services were needed because Angels starter Garrett Richards left after two-thirds of an inning because of a strained right groin. Bobby Cassevah (1-1) threw 2 2/3 innings and was charged with the loss.

"We had one rough inning and it got away from us," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "There were a lot of things we could have done for damage control in that inning, but we didn't get it done."

Russell Branyan smacked a pinch-hit, two-run homer for the Angels, who have dropped five of six.

Heading to the hill for the Rangers tonight will be left-hander Derek Holland, who is 10-4 on the year with a 4.30 ERA. Holland did not get a decision on Wednesday against Seattle, as he allowed three runs (two earned) and seven hits in six innings.

Holland, tied for the American League lead with four shutouts, is 3-3 lifetime against the Angels with a 5.81 ERA in 10 games, seven of which have been starts,

Anaheim, meanwhile, will counter with rookie Tyler Chatwood, who is 6-8 with a 4.07 ERA. Chatwood did not get a decision on Thursday against the New York Yankees, yielding a pair of runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 6-5 loss.

"For a 21-year-old kid pitching against that lineup, [he] certainly gave us a chance to win," Scioscia said.

The righty, who is now winless in six of his last seven starts, lost to the Rangers in his only other start against them back on July 19, allowing three runs and seven hits in five innings.

Los Angeles has split its 10 meetings with the Rangers this season.