Angels' Playoff Hopes Suffer Devastating Blow, As Jordan Walden Wastes Three-Run Lead in Ninth Inning of 6-5 Loss to Athletics

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Rookie closer Jordan Walden wasted a three-run lead in the ninth inning, throwing away a potential game-ending grounder as the Los Angeles Angels' playoff hopes were dealt a devastating blow with a 6-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. The defeat left the Angels 2 1/2 games behind Boston and two games back of Tampa Bay in the AL wild-card race. Los Angeles has three games left. Walden (5-3) relieved with a 3-2 lead and two outs in the eighth, and the Angels added a pair of runs in the bottom half. But Josh Willingham homered...