BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : From First Place to No Place

The Angels took over first place in the American League West with Wednesday night’s 11-2 victory over the Texas Rangers, but they didn’t act much like a first-place team Thursday.

They gave up two runs in the first inning, three more in the third, one in the fourth and barely challenged the Rangers in a lackluster 6-2 loss.

“We were very flat to start the game, and I take responsibility for that,” Manager Marcel Lachemann said. “I’ve got to get them ready to play the day after a night game, but we didn’t come out with much intensity.”

First baseman J.T. Snow agreed, saying, “It definitely was dead on the bench for a couple innings,” but added that Lachemann was being too hard on himself.

“We’re the ones on the field playing the game,” he said.

*

Angel reliever Mike James was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained neck. He will be replaced on the roster by reliever Erik Bennett. . . . Pitcher Ken Edenfield, called up from triple-A Vancouver on Tuesday to replace Brian Anderson, made his major league debut Thursday, giving up only one hit in two scoreless innings.