MIKE TROUT had four RBIs Saturday, but the Angels blew an early lead and lost 8-6 to Seattle (Flickr/Keith Allison).

By Pete Zarustica

Late inning mishaps continue to rain on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Seattle as they again lost a lead late and fell to the Mariners 8-6 Saturday night at Safeco Field.

As on Friday, the Halos took an early advantage, got a three-run home run from Mike Trout but saw the bullpen melt. This third loss in a row dropped them to 49-61, still fourth in the American League West.

The crushing blow came in the bottom of the seventh when the M’s (56-53) scored four runs, three of them on a home run by shortstop Shawn O’Malley. It was his first home run of the year.

Arguably, the other turning point of the game came in the top of the seventh, when the Halos loaded the bases with two out and Albert Pujols at the plate. But the future Hall of Famer flied out, and that set the table for the M’s winning at-bats.

Tyler Skaggs had a bumpy effort, yielding nine hits and four runs in 5.1 innings. He struck out four batters but walked three and was touched for two home runs. Still, when he left the game, the Angels were holding a 6-4 lead.

Jose Valdez, called up to the replace the sent-down Tim Lincecum, had a fairly grim debut. In one-third of an inning, he walked three batters and was on the hook for three runs when O’Malley hit his round-tripper.

Trout had a typically strong night, with a home run and a triple for two runs scored and four RBIs. Kole Calhoun had three hits – and double and two singles and scored twice.

Matt Shoemaker (6-11) is scheduled as the starting pitcher for the Angels Sunday. James Paxton (3-5) will start for the Mariners.