Rangers turn to Ranaudo in finale with Angels

(SportsNetwork.com) - Anthony Ranaudo steps into the Texas rotation on Wednesday afternoon to start the Rangers' finale of a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

With Derek Holland out with a sprained left shoulder that landed him on the 60-day disabled list on Saturday, the Rangers recalled Ranaudo from Triple-A to start this finale and make his Texas debut.

Ranaudo went 4-3 with a 4.81 earned run average in seven starts with Boston last season. The right-hander pitched to a 5.02 ERA over 14 1/3 innings this spring, but hurled five scoreless innings of four-hit ball to win his recent minor league start.

"We had a need, and [Ranaudo] was the choice," manager Jeff Banister told Texas' website. "Obviously we prepared him in Spring Training to be a starter. He is depth for us. We felt like of the options we had, he was the right choice."

Hector Santiago goes for the Angels looking for a better start to his outing.

The left-hander racked up a high pitch count in a 4-2 setback to the Kansas City Royals on Friday, charged with three runs on six hits and a walk over 5 1/3 innings.

"Hector struggled with his first 50 pitches, then he found his rhythm," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He used a lot of pitches early, but he'll be better next time."

Santiago is 3-2 with a save and 4.50 ERA in 10 games (7 starts) versus the Rangers.

After losing the opener of this series on Monday, the Rangers bounced back with last night's 8-2 win fueled by Robinson Chirinos' career-high five RBI night. The bulk of that came on a three-run homer, while Elvis Andrus also went deep.

"It was awesome," Chirinos said. "I've been working really hard to be consistent. To be able to hit that double and that homer is getting paid for it."

Starter Nick Martinez earned the win after surrendering one unearned run on five hits over seven innings for the Rangers, who ended a two-game skid.

Angels starter Drew Rucinski was pounded for four runs on six hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings during his first major league start.

"Drew never got on track," Scioscia said. "I don't think he brought his best game out there on the mound."

Angels outfielder Mike Trout has a hit in all eight of his games this season. but Los Angeles lost for the fourth time in five games.

Fellow outfielder Kole Calhoun missed his third game in a row for the Angels due to a strained right calf and isn't expected back until Friday at the earliest.

Los Angeles has won 10 of its last 12 as the visitor against the Rangers.