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Angels waste chances in 3-2 loss to Baltimore Orioles

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This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

This post has been corrected. See the note at the bottom for details.

The heat wasn’t the only thing that made Saturday night uncomfortable for many visiting Orioles Park at Camden Yards.

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If you were an Angels or Orioles hitter, for example, it was a frustrating night of missed opportunities -- albeit less frustrating for Baltimore, which got two fifth-inning runs to win, 3-2, snapping the Angels’ modest three-game winning streak.

The Angels got runners on base in six of the first seven innings but twice hit into double plays, stranding four. The Orioles had at least one man on in each of the first seven innings but hit into four double plays -- two on line drives -- leaving five.

The night actually started well for the Angels, with Vernon Wells belting a two-out, two-run home run in the first inning. The homer was Wells’ second in as many at-bats -- he hit a grand slam in his final plate appearance Friday -- and the 34th of his career against the Orioles, the team he has victimized most often.

But that was it for the Angels’ scoring -- not that they didn’t have their chances. They had runners thrown out trying to steal in each of the next two innings, left Alberto Callaspo at second after a two-out double in the fourth, then got runners on first and second to start the fifth only to leave both as well.

And in the ninth, they had the tying run at second with two outs and All-Star Howie Kendrick at the plate, but Kevin Gregg struck him out on a full-count pitch to end the game.

The Orioles, meanwhile, had Angel starter Joel Pineiro walking a tightrope before breaking through for a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth.

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Adam Jones got Baltimore started by homering to lead off the fourth. Then a run-scoring single by Nick Markakis and Jones’ sacrifice fly an inning later put the Orioles ahead to stay.

For the record, 7:49 p.m., July 23: A previous version of this post said the Angels left nine runners on base; they left four. It also said the Orioles left 13; they left five.

ALSO:

Angels hit by heat wave in Baltimore

Jerry Crowe: Angels make one-day turnaround on season

-- Kevin Baxter in Baltimore

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