Mike Trout’s first leadoff home run since 2012 sparked the Los Angeles Angels to a 7-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night, snapping a five-game losing streak.
Trout drove a fastball from Orioles starter Grayson Rodriguez (3-1) off the auxiliary scoreboard above the wall in right-center field in the first inning to put the Angels on top. It was the sixth leadoff homer of Trout’s career and first since Sept. 28, 2012. It was Trout’s eighth home run of the season.
The Angels had six extra-base hits in total, including RBI doubles by Luis Rengifo, Logan O’Hoppe, and Neto, as they built a 7-0 lead after four innings. Neto, Jo Adell, and Nolan Schanuel had run-scoring singles as the Halos tacked on two runs in the second, third, and fourth innings.
The Orioles got on the board with three runs in the fifth inning on Henderson’s sacrifice fly and Ryan O’Hearn’s two-run double. Jackson Holliday singled in the fifth inning for his first hit since April 14 and snapped an 0-for-17 skid.
Rodriguez, who allowed only seven runs in his first four starts, struggled in his second outing against the Angels. The right-hander gave up seven runs and 11 hits with seven strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.
Griffin Canning (1-3) earned his first win in 11 starts dating back to last season. He allowed just three runs on five hits over five innings, striking out four. Carlos Estévez pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his fourth save of the season.
In other news, Angels right-handed pitcher Robert Stephenson will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on April 30. He is expected to miss 12-18 months due to the surgery and rehabilitation.
The Angels and Orioles will wrap up their season series on Wednesday afternoon. RHP Dean Kremer (0-2, 4.91 ERA) will start for Baltimore, while the Angels will counter with lefty Tyler Anderson (2-2, 1.42 ERA).
