ANGELS RALLIES FIZZLE, TEXAS OFF SCOTT FREE TEXAS 3, ANGELS 2.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Angels got the kind of pitching manager Mike Scioscia so confidently promised all spring, but missed opportunities on offense left them losers in their season opener Tuesday afternoon.

Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers continued his mastery of the Angels in a 3-2 win in front of 49,512 at The Ballpark in Arlington. Rogers, who improved to 13-7 in his career against the Angels, watched a Houdini-like escape by closer Tim Crabtree in the ninth to preserve the victory, the first by the Rangers this season.

Angels starter Scott Schoeneweis pitched well - he gave up three runs and eight hits in seven innings against a lineup that includes Alex Rodriguez, Rafael Palmeiro and Ivan Rodriguez - but it wasn't good enough.

``If we can get our pitchers to step up like that, we're going to win a ton of ballgames this year,'' Scioscia said. ``We had our opportunities; we very easily could have broken the game open.''

The most notable blown opportunity came in the ninth inning. A single by Tim Salmon, a double by Troy Glaus and an intentional walk to Garret Anderson loaded the bases with none out against Crabtree, who has taken over the closer's duties from John Wetteland.

Glenallen Hill, acquired last week in a trade from the New York Yankees, had a chance to make a big splash with his new Angels teammates, but instead just belly-flopped.

He hit the ball sharply to third baseman Ken Caminiti, who fielded it cleanly and went home to force out Salmon. Catcher Ivan Rodriguez then fired to first to complete the 5-2-3 double play.

Bengie Molina followed and grounded back to Crabtree to end it.

``Who cares if I hit it hard, it doesn't matter,'' Hill said. ``I'd much rather break my bat and hit it over the shortstop's head.''

Hill grounded into two double plays and struck out once, going 0 for 4 in his Angels' debut. But he said he wasn't about to let the game linger in his mind.

``This game will sit with me about 15 more minutes,'' he said. ``Then I'll leave and go home. I never take the game home. I can hit, and that's why I'm here. I'm not going to beat myself up every time I don't come through in a big situation. That's just the game. I don't need any additional pressure because they traded for me. I'm just a player.''

The Angels also had a chance to tie it in the eighth inning after they knocked out Rogers. With runners on first and third and one out, Rogers was replaced by Jeff Zimmerman. Scioscia pinch hit Orlando Palmeiro for Benji Gil, and Palmeiro promptly grounded into an inning-ending double play, one of three double plays converted by the Rangers in the game.

Scioscia said he considered pinch hitting Wally Joyner in that situation, but figured Palmeiro was more experienced coming off the bench.

Rogers retired 14 consecutive hitters through the middle innings, but one Angel gave him fits. Darin Erstad continued where he left off last season - he had three hits off Rogers, including two doubles.

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Scott Schoeneweis gave up three runs and eight hits in seven innings.

Donna McWilliam/Associated Press