Josh Hamilton was in familiar surroundings Thursday at Globe Life Park doing familiar things.
Hamilton capped his return to Texas by going 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI in the 5-1 Texas loss on a day that could have only been better for Hamilton if the Rangers would have won the game.
Hamilton got a standing ovation in his first at-bat and responded with a double to right on the first pitch he saw in front of 34,085 fans in his first game back in Texas with the Rangers. He had two of the five hits for the Rangers and made sure they avoided a shutout with an RBI single in the ninth inning.
The game capped a day for Hamilton that was a lot like those he had in Arlington when he was with the Rangers from 2008 to 2012.
"It was a good feeling," said Hamilton, who gave the fans a nod with his hand before his first at-bat. "I appreciate it. I appreciate it a lot. You don't know what to expect and you hear fans cheer, stand. It means a lot. It brought back some good memories. When you get support from fans it makes you as a player want to compete more and give everything you've got for them. I'm excited about it."
Hamilton took the same route he used to take when he got close to the ballpark. He stopped and signed autographs outside the player's garage and then was back at it again after batting practice.
And then he played a game too.
Despite being under the weather Hamilton was in the lineup and received a warm reception in his first game back in Arlington as a member of the Texas Rangers since 2012.
When Hamilton ran out to left field he was greeted with signs welcoming him back, including one saying "Welcome Back to Baseball Town," which was a reference to Hamilton's comments about the area not embracing baseball after he signed with the Los Angeles Angels.
Hamilton wasn't the only member of the Rangers appreciative of the reception.
"I thought it was outstanding, really," Texas manager Jeff Banister said. "I was proud for our fans, happy for Josh. Also, I was proud for Josh to step right up and hit the double. The swing was getting close in Cleveland. I thought the swings were good tonight, a lot of energy. I'm pleased with how everybody received Josh."
Hamilton showed flashes of what he did in his first stint with the Rangers. After getting a standing ovation, he lined the first pitch he saw from Eduardo Rodriguez into the corner in right for a double with one out in the second inning.
He struck out in his next at-bat and grounded out in his third one before picking up his first RBI of the season on a liner to right.
Hamilton feels like his bat is coming around, even though he didn't feel well.
"You have some of your best games sick, focus more try not to do too much," Hamilton said. "It can help you a lot of times. Go home and try and get some rest and feel better and come back tomorrow and try to do it again."
MORE FROM FOX SPORTS SOUTHWEST:
- Predicting awards and winners of the 2015 MLB season
- Ranking NFL quarterback salaries
- 21 Fun Facts about the NCAA tournament
- Highest paid player of each NBA team
- College football's highest paid coaches in 2014
- Highest paid player on every MLB roster
