Wilson starts second straight game for Angels; Hamilton belts 18th homer for Texas

Kendrys Morales pinch hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the seventh inning to lead the visiting Los Angeles Angels to a 4-2 victory over the Texas Rangers yesterday.

C.J. Wilson worked into the sixth for the Angels after becoming the first major-leaguer in 11 seasons to start consecutive games. He had faced only five batters against his former team in the rain-interrupted series opener.

"I did a lot of homework and stuff, and wanted to put it to use," Wilson said, insisting that it wasn't personal facing the team he pitched for in the last two World Series.

"Emotionally, I had a dry run [Friday] to see what it was going to feel like and hear the fans and their colorful insights on me and my career and whatnot," he said. "I'm just trying to get the hitters out."

Josh Hamilton hit his major league-leading 18th homer, the ninth in six games for the Texas slugger.

"C.J. did a good job. He's one of those guys you don't know what he's going to throw," Hamilton said. "He really doesn't follow any kind of pattern or get into a routine."

Mark Trumbo hit a towering two-run homer for the Angels off Matt Harrison (4-3).

The second game of the series was the earliest ever at the 18-year-old Rangers Ballpark. The 12:07 p.m. start came only 12 hours after Friday night's game ended.

David Carpenter (1-1) faced only two batters after replacing Wilson before the Angels took the lead in the seventh. Ernesto Frieri, acquired from San Diego on May 3, worked 12/3 innings and Scott Downs got the final out for his third save.

In his return to Texas, Wilson threw only 22 pitches Friday night before a 1-hour, 56-minute rain delay in the first inning of the Rangers' 10-3 victory.

-- AP