Angels lead 3-0 as Nippert removed in fourth

Dustin Nippert's first start of the season lasted 3 2/3 innings. He allowed seven hits and three runs, two in the fourth, before manager Ron Washington replaced the right-hander with rookie left-hander Derek Holland. Chone Figgins flied out to end the inning. Nippert wasn't terrible. In fact, he pitched scoreless first and second innings. But he went deep in many counts and had been touched for hits by six of the final 10 hitters he faced. The Rangers, meanwhile, have four hits. Two are by Josh Hamilton, but both came with two outs. -- Jeff Wilson