JAIME BARRIA pitched five strong innings as the Angels defeated the Seattle Mariners 8-6 on Sunday (Angels photo).

It was very nearly the nightmare that wouldn’t end.

On Sunday in Anaheim, the Los Angeles Angels build an 8-3 lead in their quest to snap a six-game losing streak, only to see it almost disappear.

The Mariners got three ninth inning home runs to close to within two, but Luis Garcia finally got Edwin Encarnacion to pop out to allow the Halos to survive and get back in the win column for the first time in more than a week.

After the victory, the Angels are 9-13, and 5.5 games back in the American League West in fifth place.

Overall, it was a long ball battle. The Angels got two homers from Tommy LaStella and one each from Kevin Smith and Brian Goodwin. For the Mariners (16-9, still in first in the AL West), Tom Murphy, Dee Dee Gordon and Mitch Haniger each went deep, all in the ninth inning.

Jaime Barria (2-0) who pitched the second through sixth innings, got the win. He was touched for four hits and one run. He struck out three and walked none.

The Angels start another series in Anaheim on Monday hosting the New York Yankees (11-10). Matt Harvey (0-2) is expected to make the start for the Halo