FRISCO, Texas -- Josh Hamilton looked like he was ready to go in his first rehab game for Double-A Frisco Wednesday.
Left-hander Matt Harrison may not be far behind.
Harrison got stronger as his rehab start went on while pitching six innings in a 10-9 Frisco loss to Midland.
Harrison, who has now made five starts in his bid to return from spinal fusion surgery, allowed five runs in his six innings but was done in by some shaky defense behind him. He allowed nine hits, struck out three and walked three in the 104-pitch start.
Harrison started the game with a fastball velocity of 84 mph in the first inning but was throwing 88 in the sixth.
"I didn't feel as loose in the beginning," Harrison said. "I wasn't getting extension on the ball and kind of leaving some balls flat and up. After the third inning I felt good, starting getting some more life on the ball. Offspeed stuff was better. Hopefully I can do that all at the same time at the beginning of the game."
Harrison will make at least one more rehab start before the Rangers have to decide what to do with him. The 30-day rehab window they have for him ends July 2.
Harrison's start was the first opportunity for pitching coach Mike Maddux and general manager Jon Daniels to see Harrison pitch other than on video. Maddux was pleased with the way Harrison progressed through the game.
"It was good to see him out there," Maddux said. "He got better as he went, getting over his front better, a little more extension, and then the movement and location picked up better for him a little in the game. He ran into some tough luck in the second inning. It was fun to watch and good to see him out there."
He'll travel with the Rangers to Toronto and throw with them before his next start. He feels like he can get big-league hitters out right now.
"It's a little different approach down here that it is in the big leagues," he said. "Guys are free swingers down here. They're not allowing you to work like you would in a big-league game. That's not an excuse. I've got to pitch where I'm at. That's kind of my fault."
Hamilton's return date to the Rangers has been set for Monday in Baltimore if he doesn't have any issues. He didn't Wednesday with his left hamstring as he went 1 for 3 with a walk and a strikeout while serving as the designated hitter.
He left Frisco to join the Rangers Triple-A team where he'll continue to rehab through the weekend. He's slated to play the outfield for Round Rock Thursday night in New Orleans.
"I felt good overall," he said. "Running the bases was good. Rounding the bases in general is just a different strain on your body than running in the outfield. Being on the dirt, running the bases, all felt good. I know I'm getting more wise because I don't need to take chances down here."
