MIKE TROUT is expected to return to the Angels lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers.

By Pete Zarustica

It’s been said that April is the cruelest month, but May’s not working out too great for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, either. With a 3-1 loss in Oakland on Wednesday, the Halos have lost three of their last four games and six of nine games played this month.

The defeat also dropped the Angels (17-19) into third place in the American League West, just a percentage point ahead of the fourth place A’s (16-18).

Unlike Tuesday’s booming long-ball victory, the Angels’ bats were quiet in the series finale, recording only four hits as they were dominated by the Athletics’ Andrew Triggs. The Halos were able to take advantage of three first inning walks to push across a run, but that was it for the offense.

The key blow in the game was a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth by Chad Pinder. Jesse Chavez, who had an outstanding start otherwise, yielded that homer.

“Today was a little bit of trying to be too fine,” Chavez said. “That’s basically what I can sum it up [as]. One mistake – a cutter that stayed up and didn’t cut on me – it got up in that jet stream and went out.”

That aside, Chavez (2-5) did well, going 5.2 innings and giving up three hits, two runs and striking out five while walking just one.

At bat, no Angel got more than one hit or got on base more than once, except for Cameron Maybin, who singled and drew a walk. One bit of bright news for the offense is that Mike Trout – sidelined for several games with a tight hamstring – may be returning to the lineup on Thursday. J.C Ramirez (3-2) is expected to start for the Halos that day as they open a four-game series in Anaheim hosting the Detroit Tigers (16-15).