Los Angeles Angels’ Kole Calhoun makes a fielding error on a single hit by Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jarrod Dyson during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Kole Calhoun makes a fielding error on a single hit by Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jarrod Dyson during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Sound
The gallery will resume inseconds
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jaime Barria throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 18: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is tagged out stealing second base by Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a game at Angel Stadium on June 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte, right, crosses home plate past Los Angeles Angels catcher Martin Maldonado after hitting a home run during the second inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout hits a single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jaime Barria throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani, of Japan, listens to his translator, Ippei Mizuhara, during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ David Peralta, right, misses a double hit by Los Angeles Angels’ Ian Kinsler as Nick Ahmed runs to cover for Peralta during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jeff Mathis connects with a two-run double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jeff Mathis connects with a two-run double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nick Ahmed, right, and Daniel Descalso celebrate after they scored on a double hit by Jeff Mathis during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Justin Anderson, center, tosses the ball to catcher Martin Maldonado for the out on Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte, background left, after Anderson picked up a bunt hit by Diamondbacks’ Jeff Mathis, foreground, during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 18: Martin Maldonado #12 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim tags out Ketel Marte #4 on a fielders choice by Jeff Mathis #2 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on June 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte, center, is tagged out by Los Angeles Angels catcher Martin Maldonado as he tries to score on a bunt hit by Jeff Mathis during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke sits in the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 18: Manager Mike Scioscia pulls Noe Ramirez #25 as Martin Maldonado #12 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim looks on during the sixth inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium on June 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 18: Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits a solo homerun during the fourth inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium on June 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 18: Jarrod Dyson #1 of the Arizona Diamondbacks is unable to catch a soo homerun hit by Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the fourth inning of a game at Angel Stadium on June 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 18: Justin Upton #8 is congratulated by Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after hitting a solo homerun during the fourth inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium on June 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 18: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts to a called strike during the seventh inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium on June 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 18: Yoshihisa Hirano #66 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches during the seventh inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on June 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Justin Upton reacts after Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jarrod Dyson caught his fly ball during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 18: Justin Upton #8 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts to flying out with bases loaded during the seventh inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium on June 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 18: Nick Ahmed #13 is congratulated by Paul Goldschmidt #44 and Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks after hitting a solo homerun during the eighth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on June 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Archie Bradley walks off the field after the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 18: Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks congratulates David Peralta #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks after defeating the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 7-4 in a game at Angel Stadium on June 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM — Justin Upton was swinging like a man who wanted more than a sacrifice fly. At that point in Monday’s game, at this point in their season, the Angels needed more.
The bases were loaded in the seventh inning when Upton swung for his life at a Yoshihisa Hirano fastball and tipped it foul. The count was now full. Hirano threw another fastball, not more than a couple inches away from the last, and this time Upton did not miss.
The ball sailed toward the deepest part of Angel Stadium, that unexpected obtuse angle in center field. To 33,809 fluttering hearts at Angel Stadium, it looked like Upton might have hit a tying grand slam. Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Jarrod Dyson kept his eye on the ball too. He glided back, leaped and caught the ball at the top of the wall.
Sign up for Home Turf and get 3 exclusive stories every SoCal sports fan must read, sent daily. Subscribe here.
Upton settled for his sacrifice fly. The Angels settled for a 7-4 loss, their seventh loss in their last eight games.
The Angels’ late rally could not overcome a poor start by starting pitcher Jamie Barría (5-3). The rookie right-hander paid for several early mistakes and left with a 6-0 deficit after four innings.
Barría allowed a single to Jon Jay to lead off the game. Then he piped an 0-and-1 fastball to Paul Goldschmidt, who hit a home run over the right-center field fence. After four pitches to two batters, the Angels trailed 2-0.
Ketel Marte’s solo home run tacked on another run in the second inning. In the third, Barría imploded with two outs and a runner on first base. Nick Ahmed walked. Former Angels catcher Jeff Mathis lined a double into left-center field, scoring both runners. Dyson hit a single to right field to drive in Mathis, and advanced to third base when the ball scooted under Kole Calhoun’s glove.
All six runs against Barría (5-3) were earned. His ERA rose from 2.61 to 3.57. He walked one batter and struck out five. Once he left, the Angels’ offense showed some signs of life.
Upton hit a solo home run against Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Greinke (6-5) in the fourth inning. The next batter, Albert Pujols, gave the Angels their first back-to-back home runs of the season.
For Pujols, it was the 626th home run of his career, and his 1,751st career run matched Jimmie Foxx for 21st all-time.
The Angels loaded the bases against Hirano in the seventh inning. Calhoun and Kinsler singled, then advanced to second and third base on a balk. Mike Trout drew a walk with first base open; he reached base four times in five plate appearances.
After Dyson turned Upton’s long sacrifice fly into the second out, the Angels had one more chance with two runners on base. But Pujols flied out to end the inning, preserving the Diamondbacks’ lead at 6-3.
The Angels’ margin for error in the American League West disappeared somewhere between Minneapolis and Oakland last week. Back at home Monday after a languorous 10-day trip, the Angels needed to hit refresh.
Calhoun was greeted with a hearty round of applause when his name was announced prior to his first at-bat since May. Calhoun was riding an 0-for-17 streak when he was felled by an oblique injury, but he hit a line drive into right field on the first pitch he saw from Greinke. He finished 2 for 3.
The Houston Astros won their 12th consecutive game earlier Monday. The Angels (38-35) fell 10-1/2 games out of first place in the American League West.
