Aybar returns as Angels deal with Monday's fallout

OAKLAND -- Devastating as the Angels' 19-inning, 10-8 loss to the A's on Monday night might have been, it was historic -- at six hours and 32 minutes, it was the longest game in both teams' histories -- and included several impressive performances.

Tommy Hanson pitched six innings of two-run ball, giving the rotation back-to-back-to-back quality starts; Chris Iannetta squatted for 19 innings behind the plate; Albert Pujols had four hits, went deep twice to snap a 19-game homerless drought and played the field all night; Jerome Williams hurled six innings of one-run ball in relief; and Mark Trumbo hit a 475-foot homer that tied for the longest in the Majors this season.

But the Angels were in little mood to reminisce on Tuesday.

"I don't take much nostalgia away from that game," Trumbo said. "It's all about winning, and we didn't get it done. End of story."

The fact is the Angels are now 9-16 -- tied for the worst 25-game start in franchise history -- and must maneuver through yet another injury.

As expected, outfielder Peter Bourjos was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday because of the strained left hamstring he suffered while trying to beat out a sacrifice bunt in the 11th inning. In his place, shortstop Erick Aybar returned to the roster -- batting leadoff -- after being on the DL since April 9 with a bruised left heel, while J.B. Shuck started in left field and Mike Trout moved to center.

The Angels also purchased the contract of outfielder Scott Cousins from Triple-A Salt Lake, filling up their 40-man roster once again, and optioned rookie left-hander Michael Roth to Double-A. That means they're back to a traditional seven-man bullpen and four-man bench, despite having seven relievers account for 12 2/3 innings the night before.

"Really, we're as banged up on the lineup side," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who was up until about 3 a.m. PT pondering potential roster moves with the front office.

The Angels have already used the DL on seven occasions since the April 1 opener -- one more time than they used it through the first three months of 2012. They've used 18 pitchers in April, the most in one month since August 2000.

Innings-wise, Monday's game was the third-longest the Angels have ever played and the longest in American League history since July 9, 2006, when the White Sox beat the Red Sox, 6-5, in 19 innings.

But now it's time to play again.

"The game doesn't stop," Scioscia said. "You need to keep going."