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Banged-up Angels looks to widen gap on sagging Rangers

Aug 28, 2008 - 10:08 AM Texas (66-68) at La Angels (80-52) 10:05 pm. EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Injuries are starting to mount for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, yet there is no reason to fret.

The Angels look to build on their 15-game lead in the American League West against the Texas Rangers on Thursday.

Anaheim, which has lost six of 10, may be without both third baseman Chone Figgins and second baseman Howie Kendrick. Figgins missed Wednesday's 6-5 loss to Oakland due to irritation in his big toe, while Kendrick left the game in the fourth inning with a tight hamstring.

Anaheim will look to win its first series in six tries against the Rangers, who are dealing with their own injury problems. All-Star center fielder Josh Hamilton, who leads the majors with 116 RBI, was a late scratch from Wednesday's game due to an abscessed tooth.

That could be good news for Jon Garland, who is 1-2 with a 5.54 ERA in his last four starts. The righthander was rocked for five runs and six hits in 4 1/3 innings of a 7-5 win over Minnesota on Saturday.

Garland has not fared well against Texas, going 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA in his last three starts against the Rangers.

He will be opposed by Brandon McCarthy (0-0, 2.25), who is making his second start after being sidelined since March with right forearm inflammation. McCarthy allowed one run and three hits in four innings of a 8-7 loss to Cleveland on Saturday.