The Angels will begin a three-game set against the Athletics on Tuesday in an unfamiliar position: second place.
The Angels lost their fourth straight on Sunday, falling 2-1 to the host Devil Rays. Meanwhile, Oakland defeated Baltimore 10-3 to take a half-game lead in the AL West.
Los Angeles had been in first place for 139 of 146 days this season.
“We’re not paying attention to the scoreboard,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “Our attention has to be on us. We’re going through one of those funks. We need to get out of it before it is prolonged.
“The only way to overcome this is to grind it out. There’s no easy fix. We’re a good club and we’ll get it back.”
Mark Hendrickson extended his personal winning streak to four games and Aubrey Huff hit a two-run homer to power Tampa Bay.
Orlando Cabrera homered for the Angels, who finished 2-4 on their road trip.
Extra innings
The Red Sox designated left-hander Mike Remlinger for assignment 19 days after obtaining him from the Cubs and recalled lefty Abe Alvarez from Triple-A Pawtucket. Remlinger had a 14.85 ERA and no record for Boston; Alvarez pitched a perfect ninth in relief Sunday. . . . The Twins recalled right-hander Scott Baker from Triple-A Rochester so he can start Monday night’s game at Kansas City and sent infielder Luis Rodriguez to the same club following Sunday’s game against the Rangers. . . . Royals shortstop Angel Berroa left Sunday’s game with an upset stomach and center fielder David DeJesus went out with a sprained shoulder. Both are expected to miss Monday’s game.
– – –
SUNDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
Kansas City 3 at New York 10
W: Leiter (4-3)
L: Greinke (3-16)
Jason Giambi broke out of 4-for-38 slump with 2 HRs and 7 RBIs, giving him 1,500 career hits and 1,000 career RBIs, leading Yankees to sweep of weekend series with Royals.
Cleveland 4 at Toronto 1
W: Westbrook (13-13)
L: Towers (10-10)
S: Wickman (34)
Casey Blake and Aaron Boone hit HRs off Josh Towers and Jake Westbrook allowed 1 run and 8 hits in 6 1/3 innings to lead Indians to 9th win in last 11 games. Cleveland 19-7 since July 31.
Oakland 10 at Baltimore 3
W: Haren (11-10)
L: Maine (1-1)
Danny Haren pitched 7 innings of 3-hit ball and Athletics hit 3 HRs while beating Orioles for 5th straight victory and moving into 1st place in West. Baltimore has lost 8 of last 9 games.
Detroit 3 at Boston 11
W: Wells (11-6)
L: Robertson (6-11)
David Wells gave up 3 runs and 9 hits with season-high 7 Ks in 7 innings and David Ortiz had 33rd HR and 3 RBIs as Red Sox maintained 1 1/2-game lead in East over Yankees.
Minnesota 1 at Texas 2
W: Brocail (5-2)
L: Crain (9-4)
Hank Blalock, held out of starting lineup by manager Buck Showalter because of 13-for-63 slump, had pinch infield single off Jesse Crain to drive in winning run in 9th inning for Rangers.
Los Angeles 1 at Tampa Bay 2
W: Hendrickson (8-7)
L: Washburn (7-8)
S: Baez (31)
Mark Hendrickson gave up 1 run and 5 hits in 7 2/3 innings and is 4-0 in last 6 starts as Devil Rays finished 13-game stretch with 9-4 mark, a franchise record for homestand wins.
