"It's been a rough spring to be honest with you," Loux said. "My command hasn't been where I want it to be. I made progress and I feel good going into the season. My arm feels good. The body isn't an issue."

Loux gave up six hits in his fourth start and six appearance this spring.

With injuries to John Lackey, Ervin Santana, Kelvim Escobar, the Angels' starting rotation is in dissaray. Loux is one of a handful of candidates for one of the open spots to start the season.

"He's certainly a guy that's competing for a spot in our rotation and a spot on our pitching staff," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He wasn't all that sharp today. But his stuff is there. He just hasn't been able to locate it like he needs to the last couple of outings. Shane has thrown the ball well prior to the last two outings."

Josh Hamilton hit his seventh homer of the spring, off Loux, and Andruw Jones hit his third homer in the ninth. Omar Vizquel and Jones had two hits apiece in the Rangers' 12-hit attack.

Matt Brown hit his third homer and Robb Quinlan his fourth for the Angels.

Rangers starter Doug Mathis allowed three hits and three runs over four innings in his third spring start. He was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City after the game.

Loux his hoping to not be sent to the minors after spring training for the first time in his career.

"For 12 or 13 years, playing all over the country, up and down, my goal has always been to be a major leaguer on Day 1," Loux said. " It's never happened for me. Obviously it's a dream. I'm not going to take anything for granted on April 6. It's going to be a special moment for me. I'm a fan of the game and it's going to mean a lot to me."

Notes: In addition to Mathis, the Rangers sent LHP Derek Holland, RHP Tommy Hunter, OF Brandon Boggs and INF Joaquin Arias to Triple-A Oklahoma City. ... Rangers manager Ron Washington told reporters that he would like his starting rotation to be Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Kris Benson, Brandon McCarthy and Matt Harrison in that order but said he would send that by pitching coach Mike Maddux first. ... Washington said he was "very comfortable" with his bullpen, adding the addition of Scott Feldman would help. "Feldman (in the pen) makes us a better team," Washington said. "He'll go down there with better stuff than he's had before. ... Right now, I think we're living out there with the best 12 (pitchers) we've got.