"The Angels should have learned the choreography by now - two steps forward, one step back.

The Scott Kazmir who seemed to turn a corner with his previous two starts (including a stretch of 17 consecutive batters retired in his start at St. Louis last weekend) was only intermittently visible against the Seattle Mariners Friday night as the Angels lost 8-3.

Kazmir allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits and a walk, pitching only into the sixth inning after back-to-back seven-inning outings for the first time since 2008.

"I think some of the things we saw tonight are things we can adjust from and get him more consistent," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We're certainly a little disappointed with his start tonight, especially after the way he pitching in St. Louis.

"But he's pretty close. I don't think there are an major things we're going to have to do with Kaz. But he's certainly going to have to find a way to bring his secondary pitches into the game and he wasn't able to do that tonight."

The Angels have already tried some "major things," working with Kazmir to rediscover his arm slot, and there were signs of progress recently. That trend continued for 2 2/3 innings Friday. But he went off track after retiring the first two batters in the third inning. Three hits and a walk followed, producing three two-out runs for the Mariners."