Texas @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 21, 2012 ) Texas 9, LA Angels 2

Mike Napoli continues to batter his former club and seeks another big contest when the Texas Rangers conclude a three-game road series against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday night. Napoli clubbed two homers in Saturday’s victory and is 13-for-26 against Los Angeles this season. Napoli has eight homers in 14 games at Angel Stadium since joining the Rangers two seasons ago. Texas leads the Angels by six games in the American League West.

Los Angeles phenom Mike Trout can set an AL record for consecutive games scoring runs by a rookie. Trout has scored in 13 consecutive games to match the record shared by Jake Powell of the Washington Senators (1935) and Don Lenhardt of the St. Louis Browns (1950). The AL batting leader has also equaled the Angels franchise record set by Jim Edmonds in 1995. Los Angeles right-hander Dan Haren makes his first start since July 3 after a stint on the disabled list due to back soreness. The ailment marked the first time in his 10-year career that Haren went on the disabled list.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Matt Harrison (12-4, 2.87 ERA) vs. Angels RH Dan Haren (6-8, 4.86)

Harrison has won eight of his last nine decisions while being one of the top pitchers in the AL. He tossed his second shutout of the season in his last start when he held the Seattle Mariners to five hits. Harrison is 1-1 with a 4.97 ERA in two starts against the Angels this season. He has a 3-3 career mark and 4.53 ERA in 11 appearances (six starts) against Los Angeles.

Haren was highly ineffective in his last four starts before going on the disabled list, allowing 22 earned runs in 21 2/3 innings. He has given up nine homers over his last five outings. Haren is just 4-9 with a 4.17 ERA in 18 career starts against Texas. He took a no-decision against the Rangers on June 3 when he allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas hit five homers in Saturday’s contest and is 22-5 when hitting multiple homers in a game this season.

2. Trout is 1-for-9 against Harrison and has struck out three times.

3. Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler homered and had three RBIs on Saturday after having just three RBIs in July entering the contest.