Rangers want to get Baker playing time at first

HOUSTON -- Jeff Baker was in the lineup against the Astros at first base on Monday for the third time in four games with a left-hander -- Brett Oberholtzer -- on the mound. Baker and Mitch Moreland could end up in a platoon situation down the stretch.

"I have to play Baker somewhere against left-handers," manager Ron Washington said.

Baker went into Monday's game hitting .361 with a .444 on-base percentage and an .836 slugging percentage against left-handers. He also had eight home runs in 61 at-bats against them. Moreland was hitting .245 with two home runs, a .298 on-base percentage and a .409 slugging percentage against southpaws.

Baker also went into Monday's game 5-for-17 (.294) against left-handers since coming off the disabled list on July 19. He missed a month with a sprained right thumb.

"When you're out for that long, you can't replicate game situations and game at-bats," Baker said. "I'm 100 percent healthy. It's just a matter of getting my timing back and going out there and competing."