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Sports

Reeling Angels hope to right the ship in Toronto

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will close their regular leading Texas Rangers. However, thanks to this recent stretch that series is starting to look like it won't mean that much.

The Angels try to stay afloat in the American League West this evening when they play the second test of a four-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

Los Angeles fell five games behind idle Texas on Monday, as Mike McCoy scored the decisive run in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift Toronto to a 3-2 win.

An inning after Toronto stranded two men in scoring position, McCoy reached on an error from Eric Aybar to begin the 10th. An Eric Thames single moved him to second and he took third on a fielder's choice.

With runners on the corners, the Angels went with a five-man infield, bringing in Torii Hunter from right field. Adam Lind then hit a grounder to Hunter and McCoy beat his throw home to give the Blue Jays their sixth win in eight games.

"There are things on the defensive side that definitely swung the momentum of the game," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Casey Janssen (6-0), who pitched around a leadoff double by Vernon Wells in the top of the 10th, earned the win, while Scott Downs (6-3) suffered the loss.

The Angels have now lost three of their last four.

Heading to the hill for the Angels tonight will be righty Joel Pineiro, who is 6-7 with a 5.33 ERA. Pineiro was charged with the loss last Monday in Oakland, as he allowed five runs in three innings. He has just one win in the second half of the season.

Pineiro has faced the Blue Jays 17 times (nine starts) and is 2-4 against them with a 4.67 ERA>

Toronto, meanwhile, will counter with lefty Brett Cecil, who has lost his last five decisions. Cecil was charged with the loss on September 9 against Baltimore, but pitched well, as he allowed two runs (one earned) and seven hits in 7 2/3 innings, dropping him to 4-9 to go along with a 4.37 ERA.

Cecil is 1-1 lifetime against the Angels with a 5.76 ERA in four starts.

The Blue Jays have won four of their seven matchups with the Angels this season.