Angels 7, Mariners 3
SEATTLE -- Mike Trout and C.J. Cron both hit two home runs and Los Angeles starter Hector Santiago cooled off Seattle's bats as the Angels breezed past the Mariners 7-3 on Friday night.
Trout went 3-for-5 while driving in four runs, hitting his 25th and 26th homers of the season in the process. He has homered twice in two of the Angels' past three games.
Cron has five homers, four of which came in the eight games played since his June 28 recall.
The Angels (47-39) moved to within a half-game of American West-leading Houston with the win.
Santiago (6-4) held the Mariners to one run and eight hits in seven innings. Seattle produced three hits and a run in the first inning but never had a runner get past second base in his final six innings.
Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella, who was celebrating his 28th birthday, went 3-for-5 with two doubles.
Seattle starter Mike Montgomery (4-3) suffered his first loss since June 18 while enduring the worst start of his young career. The 25-year-old rookie, who was making his seventh start, allowed career highs of eight hits and five runs while pitching five innings -- his shortest start yet.
Two of the Angels' homers came off Seattle reliever Danny Farquhar.
Right fielder Mark Trumbo hit a two-run homer for the Mariners (40-47) in the ninth. It was his second homer since being traded from Arizona last month.
Trout’s 415-foot shot to center field in the third gave Los Angeles a 3-1 lead and the Angels never looked back.
NOTES: The Angels recalled RHP Vinnie Pestano from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday. Pestano filled the roster spot that opened when OF-1B Efren Navarro was optioned to Triple-A after Thursday night's game. ... Seattle's lineup had a much different look Friday because of the absence of leadoff hitter Austin Jackson and a left-handed starter on the mound for the Angels. SS Chris Taylor moved into the leadoff spot for the first time in his career and 1B Jesus Montero got his first start. ... Jackson (back spasms) has been out of the lineup two consecutive nights. ... The Mariners are hoping to make history before Saturday night's game against the Angels. Evelyn Jones, 108, is scheduled to throw out the first pitch. She would be the oldest person to ever throw a first pitch at a major league game.