The Los Angeles Dodgers imploded on the basepaths in the top of the ninth inning and suffered an embarrassing 2-1 loss to the host Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night for their sixth consecutive defeat.

The Dodgers had runners on first and second with one out in the ninth when Angels closer Brian Fuentes picked Matt Kemp off second base. After Russell Martin walked to again put runners on first and second, Jamey Carroll delivered an apparent game-tying single to left field.

However, instead of throwing home, Angels left fielder Juan Rivera threw to second, where Martin had rounded the base. Martin scrambled back towards second and was called out by umpire Jim Reynolds on a close play for the final out prior to Reed Johnson scoring the tying run.

Base running also cost the Dodgers a run in the third inning when Kemp doubled to left-center with two men aboard. Andre Ethier scored from second but Manny Ramirez didn’t hustle from first and had to stop at third. Ramirez was stranded when Garret Anderson flew out.

The Angels beat the Dodgers for the fifth straight time this season behind 7 1/3 solid innings from Joel Pineiro and Howie Kendrick’s tiebreaking groundout in the fifth.

Pineiro (7-6) raised his career mark against the Dodgers to 4-0. Pineiro gave up one run and six hits. He struck out five. Fuentes picked up his 12th save of the season.

The Angels tied the game in the fourth when Kevin Frandsen doubled, moved to third on a groundout and scored when Torii Hunter reached on an error by Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal.

Dodgers starter John Ely (3-5) gave up just two runs – one earned – and three hits in seven innings. He struck out six.