Mike Trout/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Angels
– The biggest thing about this victory is that it pulled the Angels within a half-game of first-place Houston in the AL West. The Angels (47-39) have won 10 of 12 heading into Saturday’s game at Seattle.
– Wow, what a game by Mike Trout. All the All-Star centerfielder did was hit his 25th and 26th home runs and drive in four. By going 3-for-5, Trout raised his average to .309. He is now tied for the league and team lead in home runs with teammate Albert Pujols. Trout’s 54 RBIs are second on the team to Pujols’ 56. Trout leads the team in on-base-percentage (.401), slugging (.618) and OPS (1.019).
– C.J. Cron continued his hot hitting since being recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake City on June 29. In eight games he has hit four home runs and driven in 11 while hitting .448 (13-for-29). Cron went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs in this one.
– Hector Santiago threw 106 pitches in seven innings and allowed eight hits. But he struck out seven and allowed just one run and is now 6-4 with an ERA of 2.33, third-lowest in the AL among starters.
– Vinnie Pestano had just been recalled from Salt Lake because closer Huston Street is working through a groin injury. Pestano pitched to just two batters in the ninth inning of what was not a save opportunity. He hit a batter and gave up a 430-foot, two-run home run to former Angel Mark Trumbo. Not the best way to return to the majors. Manager Mike Scioscia took no chances and immediately replaced Pestano with Fernando Salas, who retired the next three batters to end the game. Salas struck out two of the three.
