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Angels-Rangers Preview

May 15, 2009 - 3:22 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Los Angeles (17-15) at Texas (19-14), 8:05 p.m. EDT

The Los Angeles Angels have won nine of 11 to recover from a difficult start, but that hasn't been enough to regain their usual spot atop the AL West.

That's because the first-place Texas Rangers are looking for a fifth straight victory as they open a three-game set and their season series against the Angels on Friday night in Arlington.

Los Angeles' depleted starting rotation is beginning to get healthy, but the Angels (18-15) have already been playing much better since a 6-11 start. Opponents have averaged 3.5 runs in their last 11 games, and Los Angeles won nine times during that stretch even though the Vladimir Guerrero-less lineup hasn't consistently produced.

The Angels beat Boston in 12 innings Thursday, winning 5-4 on Jeff Mathis' RBI single to take two of three from the Red Sox.

Los Angeles, however, has been unable to pass the Rangers, winners of 10 of 12 overall and five in a row at home. Texas pushed its winning streak to four by rallying for victories in its final at-bat in the last two contests.

Hank Blalock hit a two-run double in the 11th inning to give the Rangers a 6-5 win over Seattle on Wednesday, and he homered to lead off the ninth Thursday before Chris Davis' two-run shot lifted Texas to a 3-2 victory and three-game sweep.

"We definitely expect to win," second baseman Ian Kinsler told the Rangers' official Web site. "That's what gets us through these games. We expect to win."

While the Rangers (20-14) continue to slug, ranking in the top five in the majors with 191 runs, improved pitching has been the difference. Left-hander Matt Harrison pitched his second consecutive complete game Thursday, and Kevin Millwood will try to turn in a similar effort Friday.

Millwood (3-3, 2.92 ERA) is among the AL leaders in innings, having gone at least seven in all seven of his starts. He suffered a 3-2 loss to Chicago on Saturday despite pitching seven innings of three-run ball.

He'll be opposed by Joe Saunders (5-1, 2.66), who's coming off a victory over Kansas City's Zack Greinke - perhaps the most dominant pitcher in baseball so far this season.

Saunders won his third straight start with a five-hitter as the Angels beat Greinke and the Royals 1-0 on Saturday night. The left-hander walked one and threw just 101 pitches.

"Just for us to win like we did, it's very pleasing as a player to know that you can do something like that," Saunders said.

Opponents are hitting .237 against Saunders, who anchored the rotation while Ervin Santana, John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar were on the disabled list. Santana returned Thursday and Lackey is scheduled to make his season debut Saturday.

Saunders will be looking to overcome a rocky history at Rangers Ballpark. He's lost all three starts at Arlington, compiling a 9.77 ERA, although he threw a complete game in a 3-2 loss in his most recent start there July 8.

Millwood has a 3.82 ERA in 11 career starts against the Angels, due in part to his dominance of Los Angeles leadoff hitter Chone Figgins, who's 3 for 29 (.103) versus the right-hander.

The Rangers are 11-6 at home, but Los Angeles thrived at hitter-friendly Rangers Ballpark last year, going 7-2. Torii Hunter, 7 for 13 with six RBIs in the series against Boston, had three homers and nine RBIs in eight games at Arlington in 2008.

It's unclear if Texas closer Frank Francisco will be available for this series. He has not allowed a run this season but hasn't pitched since May 6 due to biceps tendinitis.