Six-game streak skids to a 3-1 loss

GIO GONZALEZ pitched six innings of two-hit ball as the Nationals defeated the Angels 3-1 Tuesday night (Flickr/Geoff Livingston photo).

The Los Angeles Angels’ six-game winning streak died fast and quiet Tuesday night when the Washington Nationals sent them down to a 3-1 defeat in D.C. The Angels were most seriously hurt by former Halo regular Howie Kendrick, who slammed two home runs.

Cliff Pennington homered for the Angels in the eighth inning, one of just three hits for the visitors. The loss dropped the Halos (61-59) into a tie with the Kansas City Royals for the second American League wild card spot. They remain in third place in the AL West.

Tyler Skaggs (1-3) pitched five innings for the Angels, giving up seven hits and two runs – both of them on Kendrick’s homers. Gio Gonzales (11-5) had a better outing for the Nats, working six innings and giving up just two hits. He struck out four batters and walked three.

The series between the Angels and Nationals continues on Wednesday with Ricky Nolasco (5-12) scheduled to start for the Angels.