MIKE SCIOSCIA has his team in the midst of a playoff race and set to battle the rival Dodgers in a four-game series starting Monday (Flickr/Keith Allison).

By Pete Zarustica

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now, but after the Los Angeles Angels took two series against the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, the Orange County team may be ready to throw some sand into the gears of the Big Blue Machine.

A 4-2 win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park Sunday gave the Angels a 40-39 record, worth a virtual tie with the Texas Rangers for second in the American League West.

They’ll be back in Southern California on Monday to start a four-game series with the National League West leaders. The first two will be at Dodger Stadium, with the second two in Anaheim on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Sunday, the Angels scored three runs in the second inning in an outburst, which proved to be decisive. The Halos put together a force out, a double and single to grab a 3-0 lead, then added an insurance run in the top of the ninth.

Kaleb Cowart was the man of the hour at bat for the Angels, with two hits – a double and a single – in three at-bats. He scored a run and drove in two. He also drew a walk.

“I was just trying to make it through it, to be honest,” said Cowart, just called up from the minors. “I was a little tired, but excited. I’m glad I can contribute on Day 1.”

Ben Revere had three hits and Luis Valbuena had two.

Parker Bridwell (2-0) got the win, going 6.2 innings and giving up two runs on seven hits. He struck out four and walked none, but yielded two home runs. Mitch Moreland and Jackie Bradley each went deep for the Red Sox.

On Monday, Ricky Nolasco (2-9) will get the start for the Angels, opposing Rich Hill (4-3) at Dodger Stadium.