Both ownership and management have denied that Mike Scioscia's job is in jeopardy despite the fact that the Angels are currently third in the American League West.

Jerry Dipoto, the team's first-year general manager, refuses to blame the long-time manager for the struggles.

"We're 3 1/2 games out in the wild-card race, but you'd think we were in last place," Dipoto said. "Quite frankly, it's a distraction. Mike has been the manager of this team for a long time. He has a very long track record that suggests he's qualified. I say, let him do his job."

The Angels entered the season with a $159 million payroll, having signed big-name free agents Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson in the offseason.