Scioscia chose the former. He removed Heaney six innings and 88 pitches into a shutout, then watched Gott turn a one-run lead into a two-run deficit and, eventually, another tough loss, a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Indians. The Angels have now dropped 23 of their past 34 games and are 1 1/2 back of the Rangers for the second Wild Card spot in the American League, with the Twins also in front.
Heaney rebounded from the worst start of his impressive rookie season -- eight runs and 10 outs against the Blue Jays -- by scattering six hits, walking one and striking out three in six shutout innings from Progressive Field.