MIKE TROUT suffered what appears to be a sprain on the thumb on his left hand in the Angels’ 9-2 loss to the Marlins Sunday night (Flickr/Eric Droust).

The Los Angeles Angels lost 9-2 to the Miami Marlins Sunday night, losing the series but – more importantly – losing superstar Mike Trout. The Halo centerfielder injured his left thumb on a slide while stealing a base in the fifth inning.

X-rays showed no fracture. and a sprain is considered more likely. and it’s not known how many games this will take him out of the Angel lineup. “It’s pretty sore,” said Trout, who will have an MRI on Monday. “I’ll ice it and see how it feels tomorrow.”

The Angels did not feel so well on Sunday. After building an early 2-1 lead, they gave up eight unanswered runs and were outhit 12-4. The Marlins got two home runs and J.T. Riddle led the attack with a home run, a double and three RBIs.

For the visitors from Orange County, the solo highlight was a fourth inning two-run home run by Martin Maldonado. On the mound, starter Matt Shoemaker (4-3) was doing well until the fifth, when things turned sour. He left after 4.2 innings having given up seven hits, four runs and two homers. He struck out three and had no walks.

The one bit of good news is that since the Texas Rangers also lost, the Halos are in second place in the American League West, one percentage point ahead of the Ranger (.491 to .490). The Angels will be home on Monday to start a series with the Atlanta Braves (21-27). Starting for the Angels will be Ricky Nolasco (2-4).