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Angels can’t hold back Adam Jones, Orioles in 4-2 loss

Angels center fielder Mike Trout speaks with home plate umpire Eric Cooper after being called out on strikes to end the fourth inning with the bases loaded against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday.
(Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)
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KEY MOMENT: With two outs in the sixth inning and the score tied, 2-2, All-Star center fielder Adam Jones went to bat for the Orioles. He had hit a two-run home run in the first inning against Matt Shoemaker and did it again this time. In 15 at-bats since the All-Star game, Jones has four hits, three of them home runs.

AT THE PLATE: Mike Trout struck out looking twice and barked at plate umpire Eric Cooper both times. Manager Mike Scioscia had to leave the dugout the second time to ensure that the rarely frazzled star outfielder would not be ejected. Hank Conger and Josh Hamilton each had two hits and a run batted in. Utility infielder John McDonald struck out in all three at-bats; he is batting .175 overall and .077 (two for 26) since June 1.

ON THE MOUND: Shoemaker (7-4) tied his career high with 10 strikeouts and did it in 52/3 innings as opposed to eight innings previously. He did not walk anyone. But he gave up four runs and has completed six innings in four of his 10 starts this season.

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REHAB REPORT: Shortstop Erick Aybar is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday after sitting out three consecutive starts because of a strained groin. Aybar appeared as a pinch-hitter Monday. … Pitcher C.J. Wilson, on the disabled list since July 10 because of a sprained ankle, could be activated at the end of this month or early next month. He threw his first bullpen session Monday and could go on a minor league rehabilitation assignment after his next bullpen session.

TOUGH BREAK: Outfielder Collin Cowgill, who suffered fractures to his nose and right thumb while trying to bunt July 13, rejoined the team but said he did not expect to be activated for another two to three weeks. Cowgill thanked Texas Rangers pitcher Matt West, who threw the fastball that caromed off his face, for checking up on him. “It’s baseball,” Cowgill said. “Accidents happen. It’s just unfortunate it happened to my face.”

BUCKING UP: The Angels signed catcher John Buck, 34, to a minor league contract and assigned him to triple-A Salt Lake. Buck is likely to join the Angels as a third catcher when rosters expand in September, although he can opt out of his minor league contract if he can find a major league job elsewhere before then. Buck hit .226 with one home run in 27 games for the Seattle Mariners before they released him last week.

UP NEXT: Left-hander Hector Santiago (2-7, 4.32 ERA) faces Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez (4-5, 4.04) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Angel Stadium. TV: FS West. Radio: 830, 1330.

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