Angels players’ meeting follows Saturday loss to Tampa Bay Rays

The Angels held a 30-minute players-only meeting to, as Manager Mike Scioscia said, “clear the air” after Saturday night’s stunning 10-8 loss to the Rays.

The Angels pounded out 13 hits, including homers by Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, in the first three innings to take an 8-0 lead and seemed well on their way to a potentially tide-turning win.

But C.J. Wilson was rocked for seven runs and five hits, including Ben Zobrist‘s three-run double and Evan Longoria‘s two-run homer, and two walks in the fifth; Jason Isringhausen gave up the score-tying run in the sixth; and Kevin Jepsen gave up a tiebreaking two-run homer to Carlos Pena in the eighth.

The collapse matched the largest blown lead in club history, a mark set on Aug. 31, 1999, when the Angels gave up 10 runs in the eighth inning of a 14-12 loss to the Cleveland Indians.

“We just had a family discussion,” right fielder Torii Hunter said of the second team meeting during a 3-7 homestand. “It was productive. It was something we needed. It was awesome.”

Asked what needed to be cleared, Scioscia said, “After a loss like that, some frustration can set in when you’re not winning games you should. These players care. I’ve heard a lot of things thrown around this month about a lack of heart, a lack of killer instinct, not playing 27 outs. That’s not what this team is about.

“This team has an incredible amount of heart and a passion for playing the game. Unfortunately, right now, they’re not playing at the level they can, and that’s where the frustration comes in.”

There was a strange postgame vibe, with several shrieks and occasional laughter coming from the clubhouse while reporters were in Scioscia’s office.

“It wasn’t like that a half-hour before,” Scioscia said. “I can guarantee you that.”

Was some tension released?

“You guys use the word ‘tension,’ it’s another buzzword I just don’t see,” Scioscia said Sunday. “I think it’s a frustration that comes from not being where you want to be in the standings.

“You feel like you win two games in a row, you get some momentum, and that momentum is not only halted but knocked back a few steps. That’s what we’re dealing with right now. We have to get through that.”

Walden sharp in return

Reliever Jordan Walden provided a rare bright spot Sunday, striking out three of four batters in the eighth inning and consistently hitting 97 mph with his fastball in his first appearance since going on the disabled list because of a nerve problem in his neck on July 15.

To make roster room for Walden, the Angels sent left-hander Hisanori Takahashi to triple-A Salt Lake, sparing Isringhausen, who has given up seven earned runs and 12 hits in 61/3 innings of his last eight appearances, from a potential release.

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com