Despite losses, Angels believe they’re stronger than during hot streak in July

The Angels believe they are a better team than on July 22, when they had just collected their 17th victory in 20 games.

Their logic seems sound. In the 11 days since then, they have added depth to the lineup and are close to getting back right-hander Jered Weaver from the disabled list.

There is only one problem. In that time, the Angels have won only one game.

The Angels’ 5-3 loss to the Dodgers on Sunday was their sixth loss in a row, and their ninth in the last 10 games. Their two-game lead over the Houston Astros in the American League West has turned into a four-game deficit. Their biggest problem has been the lineup, which has snored against tougher competition, but the rotation has not been quite as sharp, and the bullpen suddenly looks vulnerable.

The Angels had a chance to land a big outfield bat at the trade deadline but interim General Manager Bill Stoneman said then that he was avoiding doing “something crazy just to make a headline.”

Instead, the Angels held onto their prospects and added less splashy names. Manager Mike Scioscia remains confident those moves signaled an improvement — it just hasn’t been apparent.

“I think we’re a better team than we were during that streak if you look at some the depth that’s been acquired,” Scioscia said. “That’s maybe not showing up on the field like we know it will, but we’re very confident that we’re going to do things at a higher level and definitely be the team that we were.”

It is much too early to judge the current roster, but during the 10-game malaise, the team has remained just as reliant on Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Kole Calhoun. The trio has accounted for more than half of the team’s run production during that span.

The four new additions at the deadline have experienced only one victory combined with the Angels. Scioscia said they will need time to mesh into the lineup. So far, they are 11 for 52 at the plate.

“We were pitching well, and we were swinging the bat well,” Trout said. “And right now we’re in between.”

The bullpen, meanwhile, has given up runs in seven of the last 10 games. Its earned-run average in that span is 5.83.

The Angels used a staff day to substitute for the injured C.J. Wilson against the Dodgers on Sunday. The bullpen filled in capably, minus three pitches. All five Dodgers runs came on three home runs. Even Joe Smith, who had not given up a home run since Aug. 10, 2014, served up a go-ahead home run to Andre Ethier in the eighth inning.

Like Scioscia, he sounded less than disturbed.

“I don’t think anybody in here’s worried by any means,” Smith said. “When we get hot, we get hot. We can roll for a long time.”

Drew Rucinski optioned

Right-hander Drew Rucinski gave up the walk-off home run to Ethier at 4:30 p.m. By 4:43, the Angels had announced he’d been sent back to triple A.

“Tried to get ahead in the count,” Rucinski said. “It got to 1-1 and just made a mistake, threw a bad pitch.”

In his locker, there was already a ticket back to the minor leagues. At his feet, a packed suitcase.

Close to returning

Scioscia said Weaver (left-hip inflammation) was “excited” about his bullpen session Sunday. Weaver will make a rehabilitation start Tuesday, which Scioscia said could be his last before he rejoins the team.