(Sports Network) - Josh Hamilton's return comes at the perfect time for the Texas Rangers, as they start a critical three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this evening at Angel Stadium.

Texas has not missed its slugger lately, though, as it has won five straight and comes into tonight's contest tied atop the American League West with the Angels, whom they have won five of six from already this season.

Hamilton, whose return should boost an offense that was just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position on Sunday, underwent abdominal surgery and has been on the disabled list since June 2. He is hitting just .240 with six home runs and 24 RBI in 35 games this season, one year removed from a memorable performance in the Home Run Derby and finishing with 32 homers and 130 RBI.

The Rangers, though, completed a three-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend, as David Murphy went 3-for-3 with a run batted in Sunday's 5-2 victory.

Texas starter Scott Feldman (7-2) got the win after giving up two runs -- one earned -- on three hits and four walks over six innings. Jason Jennings, C.J. Wilson and Frank Francisco each threw a perfect inning of relief, with Francisco notching his 14th save this season.

"They played great ball," Rays first baseman Carlos Pena said of the Rangers. "They were extremely aggressive. They were disciplined at the plate, played unbelievable defense, and their pitching was right on."

Taking the ball for the Rangers tonight will be right-hander Kevin Millwood, who is 8-5 with a 2.80 ERA. Millwood did not get a decision on Wednesday against the Angels, as he allowed four runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings of his team's 9-7 win.

Millwood is 4-4 lifetime against the Halos with a 3.90 ERA in 13 starts.

Los Angeles, meanwhile, will counter with righty Jered Weaver, who faced off against Millwood and the Rangers in his last start. Like Millwood, Weaver did not factor in the decision of that contest, but was rocked for seven runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 frames.

However, he is 8-3 with a 3.10 ERA on the year.

The Angels took three of four from the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend. In Sunday's finale, Bobby Abreu doubled, walked twice, had two RBI and scored three times, helping Los Angeles claim a 9-6 win.

Los Angeles starter Joe Saunders gave up six runs -- five earned -- on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings for a no-decision. Darren Oliver (3-0) was the winning pitcher.

Vladimir Guerrero belted a two-run homer while Torii Hunter doubled twice and knocked in a run for the Angels, who have won nine of their last 12 games overall.

"(The Orioles) cracked the door open a little bit for us on the mound," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "Our guys are showing patience at the plate and it's starting to pay off."

Guerrero has owned the Rangers over the course of his career, hitting .397 with 22 home runs and 63 RBI in 90 games against them. In last week's three- game set between the teams, he was 6-for-13 but did not drive in a run.