MIKE TROUT sat out Thursday’s 11-3 loss to the Mariners (Flickr/Keith Allison).

Mike Trout took the day off on Thursday, and so did a lot rest of the Los Angeles Angels, it seemed.

The all-star centerfielder rested a strained hamstring muscle and watched his teammates get hammered 11-3 by the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. The Halos have now lost three of four games and their record is back at .500 at 15-15, still in second place in the American League West. They’re 4.5 games behind the Houston Astros.

It didn’t look that way early, as the Angels jumped off to a 2-1 lead in the second inning on a two-run single by Juan Graterol. But it all went downhill from there as they were outscored 10-1 the rest of the way.

Yunel Escobar had four hits for the visiting team, but no one else had more than one, and the team batted 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Alex Meyer (0-1) had an unimpressive start for the Angels, lasting just four innings and yielding eight hits and six runs. His relief, Daniel Wright, didn’t do much better, working eight innings and giving up five runs on eight hits.

The Angels are back in Anaheim Friday with a golden opportunity to make amends … or get buried in the AL West race. The Astros are in town through Sunday. Jesse Chavez (2-4) will make the start for the Halos.