MATT SHOEMAKER started well but the seventh inning was a mess (Flickr/Keith Allison photo).

By Pete Zarustica

The first half of the 2016 season was a nightmare for fans of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The second half has been almost as bad – so far – for the Kansas City Royals. The latter team got a little relief from its bad dreams Wednesday with a 7-5 victory.

Trailing 3-1 going into the bottom of the seventh, the home team rallied for four runs, then tacked on two more for a 7-3 lead. The Angels answered with a pair in the ninth, but it was not enough as they saw their two-game winning streak snapped and their record fall to 45-56, still fifth in the American League West.

Matt Shoemaker (5-11), the Angel starter, was sailing along until the fateful seventh when the Royals offense awakened. It was aided and abetted by a throwing error by Shoemaker on a bunt single by Raul Mondesi that opened the floodgates. Angel manager Mike Scioscia argued that Mondesi was guilty of interference at first, which the umpires didn’t accept. The rest of the game was played under protest.

Johnny Giavotella had the best night at bat, with two singles and a double, scoring once. Getting two hits each were Jefry Marte and Gregory Petit. Mike Trout was 1-for-3, but also walked twice.

Jered Weaver (8-8) will make the start for the Halos when they return to Anaheim Thursday to host the Boston Red Sox in a four-game series.