"When Nate McLouth injured his left oblique on the fourth pitch of the game Sunday, it was as if baseball gods sent a message to the Braves: The tough times aren't over.

After racking up 17 hits to win in 12 innings Saturday night, the Braves came back with a clunker in the series finale against the Angels, a 4-1 loss that dropped their record to 1-4 on a seven-game trip that continues Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

The injury-riddled Braves, who've scored one or no runs in three of their past four games, have an off day Monday. Mercifully.

"We were 12-4 [in May] before we started this road trip, playing pretty darn good," said catcher David Ross, who was stranded at third base in the third inning when Dan Uggla grounded out with bases loaded. "We're just going through a little rough stretch lately.

"I think a lot of people are looking forward to that off day and getting back on track. Sometimes off days, they stink when you're playing good. But we're not playing good."

Braves starter Derek Lowe (3-4) labored through six innings, allowing three runs, five hits and five walks in six innings.

"I think tomorrow will be a good day to regroup and try to win two in Pittsburgh," Lowe said, "and salvage what has been a pretty [bad] start so far on this trip."

They aren't scoring runs, and now they are dealing with quickly mounting injuries. Right fielder Jason Heyward (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list after Sunday's game, and McLouth will join him there if his strained oblique doesn't improve quickly."