"Angels manager Mike Scioscia insists he doesn't look at the standings, though he did say Monday somebody told him his team was in third place in the American League West.

That's been Scioscia's approach throughout his tenure with the club, focusing on the immediate task at hand, never looking back or too far ahead. And that's why despite being in third place, 8½ games out of first with 48 games to play, he says his team is in the mix to win the division title.

For that to happen, it will need more nights like Monday, when it played a solid all- around game in a 6-4 win over the Kansas City Royals in front of 40,011 at Angel Stadium.

New leadoff hitter Bobby Abreu was a triple short of the cycle, scoring two runs and driving in four with a two-run double and two-run homer.

Starting pitcher Ervin Santana had a quality start, giving up three runs and six hits in 63 innings.

Erick Aybar and Maicer Izturis each had two hits and the bullpen managed to hold on to the lead to lift the Angels to their third win in four games.

Closer Brian Fuentes picked up his 22 nd save, but not without some anxious moments. The Royals put the tying runs on second and third with one out in the ninth before Fuentes was able to work out of the jam.

At 57-57, it's been a rough season for the Angels, who have won four of the previous five ALWest titles.

"I take the blame for us under-performing, absolutely," Scioscia said. "When we're shaky on fundamentals, I absolutely take the blame.

"I've had some sleepless nights, I can tell you."

Scioscia presumably rested comfortably overnight, thanks to a fast start against the Royals. The Angels had a pretty good idea what to expect from Royals starter Sean O'Sullivan, being that O'Sullivan was with the team until being traded to Kansas City for infielder Alberto Callaspo on July 22.

"He's a great kid, a kid we certainly didn't want to part with," Scioscia said before the game. "But to make that deal, he was the guy Kansas City wanted.""