ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Angels and the Blue Jays both began the year expecting to be in a pennant race when August rolled around, not marking time through the final weeks of dismal seasons. Mark Trumbo and the Angels still arent giving up, and they won the years first meeting between two of the ALs biggest underachievers. Trumbo homered in the Angels four-run first inning, Garrett Richards allowed four hits over seven strong innings, and Los Angeles snapped its six-game losing streak with an 8-2 victory over Toronto on Thursday. J.B. Shuck drove in three runs for the Angels, who avoided their longest skid in more than three years by pounding Toronto starter Josh Johnson for 10 hits in the opener of a four-game series. Los Angeles (49-58) is 13 1/2 games out of first place in the AL West, and Toronto (50-58) is 15 games out in the East. "We look for wins, whether or not were in the thick of it," Trumbo said. "This is a team thats not going to stop working hard, no matter what were facing." The Angels stumbled home from an awful road trip with their waning playoff hopes further diminished by three straight losses in Texas on game-ending homers. Those three gut-punch defeats dropped Los Angeles 10 games below .500, and the trip also included Albert Pujols move to the disabled list with a foot injury. But with plenty of offensive support, Richards (3-4) was dominant in his first home start since April 20 and his second start since rejoining the Angels rotation, allowing two runs and striking out four. "This is a fighting club," Richards said. "Were definitely not giving up as a team. Were not panicking. We still have 50-something games to go, and were still going to show up at the yard every day ready to go." Colby Rasmus had two hits and scored a run for Toronto, which had won five of seven. Trumbo hit his 24th homer off Johnson (1-8), whose first career start against the Angels was a disaster. After allowing seven runs, Johnson was chased in the third inning with the bases loaded. His career-worst losing streak stretched to six starts. "Its frustration. Thats it," Johnson said. "Im out there trying to battle, trying to get through it and trying to stay positive. Youve got to find a way. Ill come back and watch some video and do whatever I can to get back. The worst part is doing this to my bullpen and my teammates. I felt like I made some pretty good pitches, but they were hitting the ball all over the place." Los Angeles led Toronto 3-0 after five batters when Howie Kendrick singled home Kole Calhoun and scored on Trumbos impressive shot to left on a hanging curve. Los Angeles batted around in the first inning, scored another run in the second on Josh Hamiltons sacrifice fly, and chased Johnson in the third with four singles, Shucks RBI flyout and a walk. "Hes one of our guys, man," Toronto manager John Gibbons said of Johnson. "He works as hard as anybody. Its a cruel business. Hes one of those guys you root for. Hes got that personality. Hes a good guy, and you feel for guys like that. Hes had a lot of success at this level, and he at rock-bottom right now." Toronto left fielder Melky Cabrera made things worse in the third when he picked up Erick Aybars single and lost control of the ball while attempting to throw it back to the cutoff man, allowing Trumbo to score the Angels sixth run. The ball comically popped into the air and landed behind Cabrera, who left the game in the fourth inning with what the club called irritation in his left knee. After the game, the Blue Jays placed Cabrera on the 15-day disabled list and recalled right-hander Neil Wagner. Richards faced little trouble until the fifth, when Adam Lind scored on Rasmus double and Calhouns error in right field. Rasmus then scored on a groundout by Maicer Izturis, the former Los Angeles utility infielder who got warm cheers from the Angel Stadium crowd in his return. NOTES: Pujols will be in a walking boot for three more weeks, but the $240 million first baseman said he wants to play again this season, no matter where the Angels might be in the standings. Manager Mike Scioscia was more circumspect, saying a decision is still several weeks away. ... Toronto activated RHP Sergio Santos from the 60-day disabled list and put RHP Dustin McGowan on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right oblique muscle. Santos, out since April 13 with an injured elbow, pitched two innings of relief, allowing one hit and one run. ... Angels LHP Jason Vargas will throw a three-inning simulated game in the bullpen Saturday, and if it goes well, hell likely make a minor-league rehab start before Los Angeles considers putting him back in the rotation. 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Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat has his wish for breathing space between the two Melbourne derbies next month, with their FFA Cup meeting scheduled for October 25.Cup holders Victory and cross-town rivals Melbourne City will meet in the first all-A-League cup derby at AAMI Park just 10 days after their round two A-League meeting at Etihad Stadium.Canberra Olympic and Sydney FC will play the first semi-final on October 19, with their meeting set down for Viking Park in Wanniassa.In giving Canberra the earlier fixture, FFA has decided against holding two derbies within four days.After winning through to the last four of the competition on Tuesday against Bentleigh Greens, Muscat said holding two derbies too closely together would reduce their attendance and impact.Muscat told AAP the rivalry is just going to grow and grow and grow.dddddddddddd.It will continue to intensify the more games that are played. Were blessed already that this year there will be an extra one, he said.As a code were blessed weve got something here that no one else can replicate - a true, pure cup competition.The timing might be seen to slightly disadvantage City, which must back up to play Adelaide United three days later at the same venue.Victory dont have to play again until the following Monday, when Wellington Phoenix visit for their annual match on the eve of Melbourne Cup day.City coach John van t Schip said he had no qualms with the fixture.We just focus on the next game. Im okay with whatever they say, he told AAP. ' ' '