"Like running into an old girlfriend, Scott Kazmir probably wanted to look his best against his former team. Instead, the Tampa Bay Rays were reminded of why they broke up in the first place.

Kazmir pitched well enough but was gone after five innings thanks to a typically-high pitch count (108). The game was still close at that point but it didn't matter as the Angels' offense continued its weak showing this month in a 7-2 loss to the Rays on Tuesday night.

"I don't really have to change anything. I've just got to get more consistent, trust my stuff and I know I can get deep into games," said Kazmir who has thrown over 100 pitches in each of his past three starts but made it into the sixth inning just once. "Throwing five innings is not acceptable. It's really not."

But that is exactly what he has averaged in his first six starts this season as the Angels go down the same road the Rays gave up on when they traded Kazmir last August.

"We're still trying to unlock Kaz and get him to where he can be," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Far too many pitches for five innings. We'll keep working with him. He's taken some steps forward but tonight wasn't what we need from him.""