New-Look Angels Still Lose

Ladies and gentleman, your 2004 Angels.

That would be one way to characterize Manager Mike Scioscia’s Sunday lineup, which included Robb Quinlan at first base, Alfredo Amezaga at shortstop and Scot Shields as the starting pitcher.

If the two prospects and Shields can maintain the form they displayed Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays, then perhaps the Angels hold some promise for the future.

Quinlan had two hits to raise his batting average to .444, Amezaga made a spectacular diving stop to start a double play, and Shields pitched gamely.

But the Angels were excruciatingly reminded that they are still in 2003 when third baseman Scott Spiezio made another errant throw to first base and the offense disintegrated again during a 4-0 loss to Toronto in front of 42,198 at Edison Field.

“We’re just not breaking through when we have opportunities,” said designated hitter David Eckstein. “We’ve just got to find a way to win.” The Angels stranded four runners in scoring position Sunday.

The Angels find themselves a season-high 14 1/2 games behind Seattle in the American League West and 11 games behind Boston in the wild-card standings after going 2-8 on their first home stand since the All-Star break.

The Angels scored 15 runs in the 10 games, striking for two runs or fewer in nine of the 10.

Sunday’s loss dropped the Angels four games below .500 for only the second time this season and the first since May 4. They are six games out of last place.

“We’re stuck in the mud right now,” Scioscia said. “Some guys are pressing a little bit and some guys are struggling at the plate.”

Toronto pitcher Kelvim Escobar didn’t help matters. After going 1-3 with a 5.03 earned-run average over his last eight starts, Escobar stifled the Angels with 8 1/3 shutout innings.

Spiezio and Bengie Molina prevented Escobar from recording the shutout when they hit back-to-back singles with one out in the ninth, but two Blue Jay relievers kept the runners from advancing.

Shields also pitched commendably, allowing one run through five innings, thanks in part to Amezaga’s first-inning defensive gem.

The shortstop dove to glove Vernon Wells’ hard liner up the middle before flipping to second baseman Adam Kennedy to start a 6-4-3 double play.

“He’s a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop,” Shields said. “That took away a potential big inning.”

Toronto chased Shields in the sixth after Carlos Delgado led off with a walk, went to second on Greg Myers’ single to left and scored on Bobby Kielty’s double to right. Reliever Francisco Rodriguez retired the next two batters before Orlando Hudson singled in Myers and Kielty.

Though Shields’ pitching line -- nine hits and four runs allowed over five-plus innings -- may not have been particularly impressive, the right-hander looked dominating at times in his first start since assuming released veteran Kevin Appier’s spot in the rotation. Shields struck out a career-high eight and surrendered one walk.

“I felt I had pretty good stuff today and was able to locate,” said Shields (2-2), whose ERA climbed to a season-high 2.10. “When I didn’t, they hit me.... Four runs in five innings isn’t going to get the job done.”

Still, Scioscia said, Shields pitched “a terrific game,” good news for the long reliever auditioning for a permanent job as a starter next season.

Quinlan did everything he could to jump-start the Angel offense, opening two innings with singles before being doubled off on a sharply hit ball by Amezaga in the sixth and left stranded at second in the eighth. Amezaga continues to dazzle with his defense, but is hitless in 13 at-bats since being called up July 24.

“Hits will fall for him,” Scioscia said. “It’s tough when you know you’re not going to get four at-bats a day, but he’ll contribute.”