ALBERT PUJOLS homered in the Angels’ 5-2 loss to the Astros Thursday night (Flickr/Keith Allison photo).

Are the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim running out of time in their long-shot bid for a spot in the post-season? It’s starting to look that way. The Halos’ 5-2 loss to the Houston Astros Thursday night in Anaheim dropped them three games back in the chase for the second American League wild card berth.

It was the team’s fifth loss in seven games with just a couple of weeks left in the regular season. The Angels (74-72) got home runs from Luis Valbuena and Albert Pujols for their scoring, but only five hits overall. The top of the lineup – Brandon Phillips, Mike Trout and Justin Upton was 1-for-11 at bat.

On Friday, the Halos will start a three-game series hosting the Texas Rangers, who are two games behind them in the AL West.

Lions are caged by the Knights

Katella continued its winning ways with a 22-20 victory over a good Westminster High team on Thursday night at Glove The Knights (3-1) led 22-14 until the Lions (2-1) rallied for a late fourth quarter touchdown that brought the game within two points.

However, a two-point conversion failed and WHS suffered its first loss of the season. Noah Melbon passed for 99 yards for the Lions and ran for 77 more.

Westminster will be on the road next Friday playing Hueneme High in Oxnard.

Other Thursday prep football results:

• Costa Mesa 13, Los Amigos 9: The Lobos dropped to 1-2 with the loss to the Mustangs. Next up will be a home game against Dana Hills Friday at Monsoor Stadium on the Garden Grove High campus.
• Ocean View 35, Santiago 20: The Seahawks handled the Cavaliers and improved their record to 3-0 on the season while SHS fell to 1-2. OVHS built a 28-17 halftime lead and held on for the win. Next Friday Ocean View will visit Katella while on Thursday Santiago will host Savanna at Monsoor Stadium at GGHS.