ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington stuck with outfielder Josh Hamilton in the fifth spot on Monday as the series with the Los Angeles Angels, but he's back in center field. Hamilton was the designated hitter on Sunday, one day after Washington gave the slugger the day off as a "mental break."

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Washington moved Hamilton down in the order on Sunday and decided to leave it on Monday.

"I just want him to get some at-bats where he can slow things down," Washington said.

The skipper felt Hamilton did slow things down in Sunday's game, drawing a couple of walks. He was 0-for-2 with a run scored.

"Through all of that, Josh is going to be fine," Washington said. "He's too talented not to be. I just wanted to give him a chance to catch his breath. Inhale and exhale."

Washington said he isn't sure if the boos that Hamilton experienced on Friday at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington impacted the slugger. Hamilton said over the weekend that they didn't.

"I can't speak for how boos affect other people, but they don't affect me," Washington said. "Stick and stones is the only thing that breaks my bones. Boos will never harm me. I can't speak for anyone else."

Hamilton is hitting .141 in July after batting .223 in June. He was the AL player of the month in April and May.

The lineups:

ANGELS

LF Mike Trout
RF Torii Hunter
1B Albert Pujols
DH Kendrys Morales (S)
3B Alberto Callaspo (S)
2B Howie Kendrick
SS Maicer Izturis (S)
CF Peter Bourjos
C Bobby Wilson

RANGERS

2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
3B Adrian Beltre
RF Nelson Cruz
CF Josh Hamilton (L)
DH Michael Young
LF David Murphy (L)
C Mike Napoli
1B Mitch Moreland (L)