Angels Blow 3-Run Lead In 9th; Need A Miracle To Make Playoffs

ANAHEIM (AP) -- Rookie closer Jordan Walden wasted a three-run lead in the ninth inning, throwing away a potential game-ending grounder as the Los Angeles Angels' playoff hopes were dealt a devastating blow with a 6-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.

The defeat left the Angels 2 1-2 games behind Boston and two games back of Tampa Bay in the AL wild-card race. Los Angeles has three games left.

Walden (5-3) relieved with a 3-2 lead and two outs in the eighth, and the Angels added a pair of runs in the bottom half.

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APTV-09-25-11 1552PDT