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Rangers-Astros Preview

May 22, 2009 - 5:36 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Texas (23-16) at Houston (18-20), 8:05 p.m. EDT

The Texas Rangers could have used Josh Hamilton in their last series, but even though Texas' offense is struggling without him, he isn't looking to rush his recovery.

Hamilton and the Rangers open a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Friday at Minute Maid Park.

Hamilton did not start in any of Texas' three losses to Detroit this week because of a sore right groin. Although he pinch hit on Wednesday, the center fielder sat out Thursday's 4-3 loss.

Hamilton has already made a trip to the disabled list this season because of a strained rib cage muscle, but he doesn't expect that to happen for this injury.

"If I can have improvement tomorrow like I did today, I should be good for the next couple days," Hamilton told the Rangers' official Web site before the game. "I want to feel 100 percent. I'd rather sit out another game and go Saturday than feel 95 percent, rush back and have another setback."

Hamilton hit well in interleague play last season, batting .362 (21 for 58) with four homers and 13 RBIs in 17 games, including 7 for 11 (.636) with two homers and five RBIs in five games against the Astros (18-21).

The AL West-leading Rangers (23-17) struggled to find clutch hits without Hamilton, going 1 for 7 Thursday and 3 for 17 in the series. Texas had runners on first and third in the ninth Thursday, but Michael Young grounded into a game-ending double play.

"We just got beat," manager Ron Washington said. "In the last two games, we were one hit away from the game being different."

They hope the offense can heat up long enough to take some pressure off Derek Holland (1-1, 4.85 ERA), who will make his first career start Friday.

The rookie left-hander takes the place of the injured Vicente Padilla, who is expected to be placed on the disabled list Friday with a strained shoulder muscle. The 22-year-old Holland, the team's minor league pitcher of the year last season, will be making his eighth major league appearance.

"We were prepared to put him in the rotation if there was a spot," general manager Jon Daniels said. "The hiccup here with Padilla provides that opportunity."

The Rangers may also activate closer Frank Francisco, who has been sidelined with biceps tendinitis since May 6, when they place Padilla on the DL.

Houston, meanwhile, dropped two of three against Milwaukee this week, including a 4-3 loss Thursday.

Hunter Pence and Miguel Tejada each homered, but the Astros gave up three runs in the seventh inning. Lance Berkman and manager Cecil Cooper were ejected after arguing a close call at home plate in the sixth inning.

"Tonight, overall, we got shafted by some poor umpiring," Cooper said. "It was a bad job of umpiring."

Tejada is hitting .381 (8 for 21) with two doubles and two homers in his last six games. He batted .216 (8 for 37) with six strikeouts in nine interleague home games in 2008, however.

Felipe Paulino (1-3, 6.93) will makes his fifth start of the season Friday. The right-hander last pitched on May 12 at Colorado, getting tagged for eight runs and seven hits in four innings of a 12-1 loss.

Paulino has never faced the Rangers.

The Rangers and Astros split their six meetings last season, with each team taking two of three at home.