They matched a season high with their sixth straight loss Sunday and fell a season-high 17½ games behind the first-place Houston Astros. Not that they’re watching the standings anymore, but a 3-1 loss at Angel Stadium was telling.
They couldn’t take advantage of another good outing by Felix Pena and managed four hits in a series sweep by Houston. They got Shohei Ohtani to pinch hit with a runner on with two outs in the ninth inning, but Ohtani struck out against Roberto Osuna, a day after Ohtani was hit by an Osuna pitch.
The Angels were in that position, after their other stars -- Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Andrelton Simmons – went a combined 1-for-11.