Trout's blast lifts Angels past Mariners
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Mike Trout hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning to give the Los Angeles Angels a 5-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night before 42,668 at Angel Stadium.
Yunel Escobar and Albert Pujols each had three hits and a double, with Escobar adding a home run and scoring three runs for Los Angeles. Right-hander J.C. Ramirez (2-0) won in relief and Cam Bedrosian earned his second save.
Jean Segura led the Mariners with three hits and two runs scored, while Mitch Haniger contributed a two-run homer.
Trout used his second home run of the season to break a 3-3 tie. One out after Escobar began the seventh with a single, Trout drove an 89 mph fastball from reliever Evan Scribner (0-1) over the center-field fence.
The Mariners responded in the eighth by closing within one run and putting the potential tying run on base.
Segura registered his third hit on an infield single off Ramirez, who struck out Haniger before being replaced by Bedrosian. Robinson Cano greeted Bedrosian with a single that sent Segura to third base, and Segura scored on Nelson Cruz's sacrifice fly.
But Bedrosian struck out Kyle Seager to end the inning, then struck out the side in the ninth to end the game.
Escobar broke a 2-2 tie in the fifth. On a 3-2 count, Escobar lined a 91 mph fastball from right-hander Felix Hernandez over the center-field fence for his first home run of the season.
But Seattle tied the score in the top of the seventh against Ramirez. Seager hit a double down the left-field line, took third on Danny Valencia's ground out and came home on Mike Zunino's two-out single up the middle.
The Mariners took a 2-0 lead in the first inning against right-hander Ricky Nolasco. Segura began the game by lining a single into center field, then Haniger sent Nolasco's 90 mph fastball on a 3-2 count over the center-field fence for his second home run this season.
Nolasco permitted only two more hits and one walk before Ramirez relieved him, and finished with three strikeouts in six innings.
The Angels narrowed their deficit to one run in the second. Albert Pujols dumped a lead-off double down the left-field line, moved to third base when Cameron Maybin lined a one-out single over Segura at shortstop and scored when Danny Espinoza lined a two-out single to right field.
Pujols' double was the 603rd of his career, tying him with Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. for 14th place all-time.
Los Angeles tied the score in the third inning. Escobar lined a double that reached the center-field fence on one hop, advanced to third base on a wild pitch and came home on Kole Calhoun's single up the middle.
Hernandez threw 100 pitches in six innings on his 31st birthday. The Mariners' all-time leader in victories permitted no walks and collected six strikeouts but allowed three runs and 10 hits.
NOTES: Saturday night marked the 40th anniversary of the Mariners' first win, a 7-6 decision over the California Angels at the now-demolished Kingdome. ... Saturday night also marked the 18th anniversary of LHP Jim Abbott's major league debut with the Angels. Abbott, born without a right hand, pitched 10 seasons for the Angels, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. Abbott never pitched in the minor leagues. ... The Angels honored CF Mike Trout with a pregame ceremony that featured his parents, his fiancee, manager Mike Scioscia, owner Arte Moreno and club officials. Trout won his second American League MVP award in three seasons last year.