Matchup a curious case

HOUSTON — Statistics specific to a given batter against a particular pitcher are cited on every baseball broadcast. Most of the time, the data show, those statistics hold no predictive value. Four hits in eight at-bats do not portend a fifth.

And then there is the case of Angels pitcher Ricky Nolasco and Houston Astros catcher Brian McCann, who before Saturday had faced each other 74 times over the last decade, far more than either man had faced anyone else. McCann dominates. He has homered eight times against Nolasco and has a 1.098 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.

They began their careers around the same time in the same division and they switched leagues the same week in 2013. Each joined the American League West last year.

Their first Angels-Astros matchup, in April, was unmemorable. Then, in Saturday’s second inning, McCann reached for a low sinker and hit a home run to right field, indicating that maybe batter-pitcher dominance is possible.

“I’ve seen him for a lot of years,” McCann said. “He’s got a good sinker now. I went down and got it.”

Said Nolasco: “It wasn’t a great swing. But, at the end of the day, he’s strong enough to get it out of here when barreling the ball. That’s what he did.”

Maybin sits out

Outfielder Cameron Maybin scored four runs and stole four bases Friday night in his return from the 10-day disabled list. He sat out Saturday.

He said he felt fine and the absence had been the plan all along. He said he had been available to pinch-hit and would start Sunday’s series finale.

Short hops

Right-hander Doug Fister will start Sunday for triple-A Salt Lake. Signed last month, he must be called up in 10 days or he can sign with another team. … C.J. Cron started against a right-hander, in place of Luis Valbuena. Manager Mike Scioscia said he would use Valbuena at third base to rest Yunel Escobar and occasionally play Cron against right-handers.