Angels have no room for error in Texas

ANAHEIM, CA An interesting question was posed by a member of the Angels prior to Sunday's game against Oakland. "Have we played well enough to get in this position, or have we played badly enough to be in this position?" The person posing the query asked for anonymity, adding "the answer falls somewhere in the middle, I think. "We've played well for the last 40 or 50 games, but in the first two months we were hitting barely above .200 with runners in scoring position. It is what it is, and hopefully we can win out and get some help. If we win it, we deserve the opportunity. If we don't, we can only look in the mirror and realize that we brought it on ourselves." The reflection they're looking at right now isn't pretty, following their devastating, gut-wrenching 6-5 loss to the A's; a game which the Angels led until closer Jordan Walden blew his 10th save of the season, which ties him with the Cubs' Carlos Marmol for the major league lead in a very dubious category. Bad pitches and an errant throw on a potential game-ending double play by Walden doomed the Halos, who are still mathematically alive for the playoffs. Realistically, though, the 2011 season came to an end with the loss. Even if the Angels somehow take the Wild Card slot and go on to win the World Series the team knows that it could -- and should -- have played much better this season. A lack of consistent offense and clutch hitting put immense pressure on one of baseball's better pitching staffs, which ranks fifth in the majors with a 3.53 ERA. Also, a bullpen that was saved from the wildness of incumbent closer Fernando Rodney by rookie All Star Walden, and is fourth in baseball in ERA, must take its share of the blame. As does Walden himself. Halo relievers have blown 25 saves, tied for third-most in the majors. Cut that in half and the Angels run away with the division crown and are getting ready for the playoffs rather than hoping for a miracle. And with a three run lead heading into the final inning on Sunday with the hopes and dreams of an entire season on the line, Walden's confusing throwing error sealed the Angels fate. Ten blown saves is way too many for a playoff-caliber team to overcome. "Jordan was prepped and ready," said manager Mike Scioscia. "We'd just had a meeting on the mound and told him who he'd be working with if there was a come-backer Erick Aybar. That's a play Jordan makes easily all the time." Not this time, and it gave Oakland new life while snuffing out the Angels'. Walden ended up allowing four runs while losing for the fourth time in nine decisions. Even the indefatigable Scott Downs proved he was human, giving up an eighth inning run. It was the first time all season he had been scored upon at the Big A, covering 27 appearances. So, with their playoff pulse thready, it all comes down to Monday night for Los Angeles when Dan Haren goes for his career-high 17th win against the AL West champion Texas Rangers. He'll be opposed by CJ Wilson, who also has won sixteen this season. For the Angels, there is literally no more room for error. That went out the door with Walden's bad throw and 10th blown save.