Angels lose but they aren't losing faith

RIGHT AFTER Albert Pujols struck out to end the Los Angeles Angels' final home game of the regular season, Angel Stadium shot off a big blast of the postgame fireworks usually reserved for wins.

After 156 games, the Angels still don't know whether they'll be back home for the playoffs - and this disheartening loss suggested those fireworks might not be worth saving for October.

John Jaso hit a two-run homer and an RBI double for Seattle, and the Angels wasted a golden chance to get within one game of an AL wild-card spot with a 9-4 loss to the visiting Mariners on Thursday.

Vernon Wells and Alberto Callaspo drove in early runs for the Angels, who had won five straight and an AL-best 16 of 23 in September before fumbling an opportunity to close in on Oakland, which lost 9-7 earlier at Texas.

The Angels' clubhouse was quiet as the big-budget club packed for its final trip, hoping for solid play and some luck on the road.

"We had a chance to gain a game, but instead we're still the same," said Torii Hunter, who went 1-for-5 in perhaps his final home game after five seasons with the Angels. "We have no idea if we're going to play another home game here, but we're not going to give up, ever. There's no way we're going to do that."

Los Angeles remained stuck two games behind the Athletics with six games left. The Angels also fell three games back of idle Baltimore, the wild-card leaders.

Dan Haren (12-12) yielded six hits and two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings, while Howie Kendrick had a two-run double in the eighth for the Angels, who finish the regular season at AL West-leading Texas (92-64) and Seattle. Haren, who struck out three and didn't walk a batter, had won four of his last five starts, but left trailing 3-2 before his bullpen gave up six runs.

"To not control our own destiny, that's not what we sought after," Haren said. "We know what we're up against. We know we've got to go out and win tomorrow, and get some help. We've got to shrug it off and go play hard."

Pujols had two doubles, but struck out with two runners on to end the game in perhaps the final home at-bat of the $240 million slugger's first season in Anaheim.

Los Angeles is in danger of missing the playoffs in 3 straight years for the first time since Mike Scioscia took over in 2000, but the majors' longest-tenured manager still has faith the Angels aren't finished.

"The momentum is crazy this time of year," Scioscia said. "We need to get right back on the horse tomorrow. These guys have played well, especially in the last month. They know what's going on. They know the fine line we have to walk."

Hisashi Iwakuma (8-5) pitched six innings of seven-hit ball, and the Mariners avoided a series sweep by blasting the LA bullpen.

"I don't really want us to get recognized as spoilers," Jaso said. "I'd rather be recognized as a team that wants to finish strong, and taking it into next year. But I think it's important and beneficial if good things happen down the stretch for us . . . There's a lot of guys in here that are showing really good potential at the end of the season, and that's what's important."

At Chicago, Evan Longoria hit a tiebreaking homer in the ninth inning and the surging Tampa Bay Rays won their eighth straight game, handing the White Sox a 3-2 loss that hurt their playoff hopes. The Rays remained two games back in the race for the second AL wild card, while the White Sox fell two games behind Detroit in the AL Central.

* At Arlington, Ian Kinsler got Texas started with a leadoff homer, Matt Harrison earned his 18th victory and the AL West-leading Rangers held on to win, 9-7, for a four-game split with the chasing Oakland Athletics. The Rangers have a four-game division lead over the A's with six to play, including three games in Oakland next week.

* At Detroit, Doug Fister set an AL record by striking out nine straight batters and the Tigers kept their lead in the Central, beating the Kansas City Royals, 5-4, on Alex Avila's grounder in the ninth inning. The Tigers holds a two-game edge over the White Sox, who lost to Tampa Bay.

* At Toronto, Brandon Morrow and two relievers combined on a five-hitter, pitching the Blue Jays to a 6-0 victory over New York that trimmed the Yankees' tight lead in the AL East. New York holds a one-game lead over idle Baltimore.