Major League Baseball

Angels 9, Rangers 6

Published Mar. 26, 2010 1:23 a.m. ET

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Vladimir Guerrero doubled after receiving a standing ovation from Angels fans, but the Texas Rangers lost to Los Angeles 9-6 Thursday.

Angels left-hander Scott Kazmir was scratched from what would have been his third spring start. Manager Mike Scioscia said Kazmir had fatigued left deltoid muscle.

``We don?t think it will impact his first (regular-season) start,'' Scioscia said. ``We?ll let it go at its own pace.''

Scioscia said Kazmir would have been able to pitch in a late-season game in the pennant race, but saw no need to rush him.

Kazmir got off to a late start this spring after pulling a hamstring muscle in January. He made his first start on March 15.

Scioscia said Kazmir could get a start as late as April 4 at Angels camp.

Kazmir said he could have pitched and that he had time to get ready.

Facing his former team, Guerrero doubled left field off Angels starter Sean O?Sullivan. In his next at bat, O?Sullivan delivered the first pitch right under Guerrero?s chin before striking him out. Guerrero lined out hard to third in his third at bat against O?Sullivan.

For the day, Guerrero went 2 for 4.

O?Sullivan, one of two starters that could fill in the Angels? rotation should a starter get hurt, allowed eight hits and three runs in four innings. It was his second start and fourth spring appearance.

O?Sullivan split time with the Angels and Triple-A Salt Lake last season. He went 4-2 with a 5.92 ERA in 12 appearances, 10 starts, with the Angels.

Texas left-hander Derek Holland made his second spring start and fourth appearance Thursday. He allowed eight hits and four runs with two strikeouts in 5.1 innings.

Holland worked three scoreless innings before getting into trouble in a two-run fourth.

``They started attacking the first pitch,'' Holland said. ``I need to stay ahead. I need to start using my offspeed stuff on those (first) pitches, too.''

Holland won eight games for Texas in 2009, one short of the all-time franchise mark for a rookie left-hander.

He made his major league debut after pitching in only 43 minor league games, only five above Class A.

Right fielder Bobby Abreu dropped Josh Hamilton's deep flyball on the warning track, but the play was ruled a single. Hamilton only reached first.

Abreu later misplayed Joaquin Arias' double down the right-field line, allowing Arias to go to third on the error.

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