CHAMPAGNE REMAINS ON ICE ANGELS FAIL TO CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT AGAIN TEXAS 4, ANGELS 3.Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer ARLINGTON, Texas Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas (USA) within the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area. According to a U.S Census Bureau release, as of July 1, 2006 Arlington has an estimated population of 367,197. - Angels manager Mike Scioscia The players, it seems, had enough hanging over their heads. The plastic, used to keep things dry during a celebration, teased the Angels, first in Seattle and now in Texas. Heading into Wednesday night's game against the Rangers, the Angels lost their previous three games with a chance to clinch a playoff spot. But with the plastic gone and their heads cleared of such a distraction, they lost anyway 4-3 before 20,976 fans. It was their fourth loss in a row and sixth in seven games. They have not lost as many as four in a row since a four-game losing streak June 15-19. The Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox are a member and currently champions of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball’s American League. From to the present, the Red Sox have played in Fenway Park. also lost, being eliminated from playoff contention. Next up was the Mariners, who would be out with a loss against the A's and were still playing as the Angels dressed and began to go back to their hotel. None of the Angels said they would watch the game even if it was televised, which it wasn't. Would they celebrate a Mariners loss? Not after a loss of their own, they said, even if it meant a playoff spot. ``To sit and watch a baseball game Noun 1. baseball game - a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs; "he played baseball in high school"; "there was a baseball game on every empty lot"; "there was a desire for National League is not going to help anything,'' Angels closer Troy Percival Troy Eugene Percival (born August 9, 1969 in Fontana, California) is a Major League Baseball reliever on the St. Louis Cardinals. Percival came out of retirement on June 8, 2007 when he signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals[1]. said. ``You don't want to celebrate after you lose. That's not the way this team plays.'' Turns out he and his teammates didn't have to make that decision. The Mariners rallied for a 3-2 victory over the A's and left it up to the Angels to earn a playoff spot themselves. Angels right fielder right fielder n. Baseball The player who defends right field. Noun 1. right fielder - the person who plays right field outfielder - (baseball) a person who plays in the outfield Tim Salmon ``We worked hard all year to put ourselves in this position,'' he said. ``Right now we have the luxury of having a few lifelines. If we get in because somebody else loses, that wouldn't be the the way I would have scripted it, but by the same token, anyway you can get there ... ``That would be fitting for me, my career. You don't imagine it happening that way.'' Angels left fielder Garret Anderson Garret Joseph Anderson (born June 30, 1972 in Los Angeles, California) is a Major League Baseball left fielder who has played his entire career for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. agreed, saying if the Angels got in with a Mariners loss, it wouldn't detract from detract from verb 1. lessen, reduce, diminish, lower, take away from, derogate, devaluate << OPPOSITE enhance verb 2. their season. ``To say we got in through the back door discredits what we've done all season,'' he said. Wednesday's loss was a case of the Angels failing to do much offensively. Rangers starter Kenny Rogers had a lot to do with it, limiting the Angels to two runs and six hits in seven innings. Hank Blalock Hank Joe Blalock (born November 21, 1980 in San Diego, California) is a Major League baseball third baseman who currently plays for the Texas Rangers. Hank Blalock has recently been diagnosed with Thoracic outlet syndrome. In some circles Hank is known as "The Block. and Alex Rodriguez homered back-to-back in the third inning off Angels starter Ramon Ortiz to put the Rangers up, 2-0. Meanwhile, the Angels' offense had only one hit - a single by Benji Gil - through four innings. In the fifth, the Angels got three hits, including an RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in double by Gil. But David Eckstein flied out to right with runners on second and third to end the inning. The top of the Angels order - Eckstein, Darin Erstad and Salmon - are a combined 0 for 23 in the past two games against the Rangers. Troy Glaus homered to lead off the seventh, tying the game at 2, but the Angels' bullpen gave up two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Rafael Palmeiro homered off Scott Schoeneweis and Michael Young walked with the bases loaded against Francisco Rodriguez to give the Rangers a 4-2 lead. The Angels scored in the ninth on Brad Fullmer's RBI single, but Eckstein struck out to end it. ``We're scuffling a little bit, but we'll keep it in perspective,'' Scioscia said. ``This club still has a four-game lead. Our record (96-62) shows we're a good club.'' CAPTION(S): 2 photos, 2 boxes Photo: (1 -- color) The Angels' Francisco Rodriguez holds a towel to his face Wednesday after walking in a run during a 4-3 loss to Texas. With Seattle's victory, the Angels again failed to clinch a playoff spot. Tim Sharp/Associated Press (2) Rangers closer Francisco Cordero raises his fist after getting the final out against the Angels in a 4-3 victory. Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press Box: (1) STANDINGS (2) AL PLAYOFF RACE |
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