ARLINGTON, Texas — Josh Hamilton stepped into the batter’s box to a loud ovation. The Texas Rangers fans got even louder when he lined the first pitch he saw into the right-field corner for a double.

“It’ll be a game I’ll remember forever. Coming back and getting a warm reception like that, all through the game, people in the stands `Welcome back Josh, glad to have you back,”’ Hamilton said. “It just makes you feel good. I hope the fans know that I’m giving them everything I’ve got being back, just like I did when I was here before.”

A month and a day after being re-acquired by the Rangers, Hamilton played his first home game in Texas since the 2012 AL wild-card game, one in which the soon-to-depart slugger was booed lustily — like he would be the next two seasons when returning with the Los Angeles Angels.

Hamilton finished 2 for 4 Thursday night, including an RBI single in the ninth — on another sharply hit ball to right — that accounted for the Rangers’ only run in a 5-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

“As long as he just keeps getting better and feeling comfortable, he’s going to do his thing,” shortstop Elvis Andrus said. “Same guy. He hasn’t changed at all. He’s been the same person since he got here Day One.”