Erick Aybar getting Angels started
Last year Erick Aybar struggled in the leadoff spot and the Angel offense struggled along with him.
Not so this year -- and especially this month.
Baltimore's Adam Jones is the only player in baseball with more hits in May than Aybar, who begins the Angels' seven-game, three-city road trip Friday batting .340 with 17 hits this month. And Aybar, who is riding a career-high 10-game hitting streak, is batting .345 in the leadoff role -- which is where he was again Friday against the Texas Rangers.
The Rangers will start unbeaten right-hander Alexi Ogando, who is 3-0 with a 2.17 earned-run average in six starts. The Angels will counter with right-hander Jered Weaver (6-1, 1.87) who has already beaten the Rangers once this season.
The lineups (click on thread)
SS -- Erick Aybar
DH -- Bobby Abreu
2B -- Maicer Izturis
RF -- Torii Hunter
LF -- Howie Kendrick
3B -- Alberto Callaspo
C -- Hank Conger
1B -- Mark Trumbo
CF -- Peter Bourjos
P -- Jered Weaver
Texas Rangers
CF -- Julio Borbon
SS -- Elvis Andrus
2B -- Ian Kinsler
1B -- Michael Young
RF -- Mitch Moreland
3B -- Adrian Beltre
LF -- David Murphy
DH -- Mike Napoli
C -- Yorvit Torrealba
P -- Alexi Ogando
ALSO:
Pitching and defense keep Angels in the game
Angels are better prepared to play without Kendrys Morales
-- Kevin Baxter in Arlington, Texas
Photo: Angels shortstop Erick Aybar hits a two-run double against the Cleveland Indians on May 8. Credit: Alex Gallardo / Associated Press
