April 8, 2017
Mike Trout hit a 2-run blast in the 7th inning, and the Angels held on to defeat the Mariners 5-4 at the Big A on Saturday night.
Trout was honored before the game by the Angels, recognizing him for his 2nd AL MVP award in 3 years. Owner Arte Moreno presented Trout with a large commemorative ring. The Angels center fielder was 0-3 in his first three at-bats with 2 strikeouts, before connecting in the 7th inning on what would be the decisive blow to Seattle.
Andrelton Simmons also made an incredible defensive play in the 3rd inning. Jean Segura attempted to advance from first to third base on Mitch Haniger’s grounder. Simmons was covering third, and snagged Jefry Marte’s off-target throw and twisted in midair to apply a behind-the-back tag on Segura. It took video replay, but Segura was ruled out on the play.
J.C. Ramirez recorded the win, and Cam Bedrosian got his 2nd save of the season. He threw 18 pitches in the 8th inning, then struck out the side in the 9th for a five-out save.
“He felt great when he got out of the eighth,” skipper Mike Scoscia said. “He had some gas in his tank. And we’re closer to the day off on Monday.”
The Halos got off to a slow start in this one. Ricky Nolasco surrendered a 2-run homer to Haniger in the 1st. Nolasco pitched 6 innings, yielding those 2 runs on 4 hits, while striking out 3.
RBI singles by Danny Espinosa and Kole Calhoun over the next two innings would tie the game at 2-2. The Halos would then take a 3-2 lead on a solo shot from Yunel Escobar in the 5th inning. The Angels’ shortstop had 3 hits on the night.
Mike Zunino tied things up a 3-3 in the M’s half of the 7th inning with an RBI single. However, Trout came through with his big blast just half an inning later. The Mariners got one back in the 8th on a sacrifice fly from Nelson Cruz, but that’s as close they would come.
Felix Hernandez started for Seattle. King Felix went six innings, giving up 3 runs on 10 hits, and striking out 6. Evan Scribner took the loss for the Mariners, after giving up the home run to Trout.
The Angels will go for the sweep on Sunday afternoon in Anaheim. Matt Shoemaker will be on the hill for Halos, while the M’s will give the ball to Hisashi Iwakuma.