Angels can’t hold back Mariners in 13-2 loss

KEY MOMENT: The Angels went to their bullpen relay team again to fill the rotation spot vacated by the injured Garrett Richards, but this time, the relievers dropped the baton. Jason Grilli replaced starter Cory Rasmus in the fifth and was tagged for four runs and two hits, including Mike Zunino’s two-run double over the head of center fielder Mike Trout, turning a 2-0 Angels lead into a 4-2 deficit.

AT THE PLATE: Albert Pujols, who was pulled from Monday night’s game in the third inning because of a left hamstring cramp, started at first base and hit an RBI single in the first. Josh Hamilton, who missed 11 games because of a right shoulder injury, returned to the lineup as the designated hitter in the sixth spot. He had a single in three at-bats.

ON THE MOUND: Rasmus allowed one hit and needed only 43 pitches to get through four scoreless innings. The right-hander appeared to have at least one more inning in him, but Manager Mike Scioscia pulled him after four, a decision that backfired when Grilli coughed up the lead. Fernando Salas and Joe Thatcher combined to give up six runs and six hits in the sixth. The 13 earned runs were the most the Angels bullpen has allowed in a game all season. The previous high was seven runs given up in two innings of an 11-3 loss to Oakland on May 31.

GM HOPEFUL: Hal Morris, the Angels’ director of pro scouting, has met with Arizona chief baseball officer Tony La Russa to discuss the team’s vacant general manager position but is still awaiting word from the Diamondbacks on whether he will be called back for a formal interview with team President Derrick Hall and managing general partner Ken Kendrick.

EXTRA BASES: Seattle starter Roenis Elias was pulled in the fourth because of left elbow stiffness. He was replaced by right-hander Carson Smith, who threw two hitless innings.

UP NEXT: Left-hander C.J. Wilson (12-9, 4.61 ERA) will oppose Seattle left-hander James Paxton (6-2, 1.83) at Angel Stadium on Wednesday at 7 p.m. On the air: TV: FS West. Radio: 710, 830, 1330.