MIKE TROUT hit a three-run double in the ninth inning to lead the Angels to a 6-3 win over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night.

Mike Trout’s double in the ninth inning sparked the Los Angeles Angels to a 6-3 win over the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field Thursday night, a victory which pushed the Halos within one game of a American League wild card playoff spot.

Trout drove in three runs with his hit, snapping a 3-3 tie. The Angels led 3-0 on the strength of home runs by C.J. Cron and Andrelton Simmons, but the M’s rallied with three runs in the bottom of the eighth to tie it up.

“They battled back, but this team picks each other up,” Trout said. “That’s all we can do. Once they tied it, we knew we just had to get one across the board and get a chance in the ninth. I just got a pitch to hit.”

The victory – in the first game of a crucial four-game series in Seattle – was the Angels’ third straight and evened up their season record at 58-58. The Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays are both 59-57 and tied for the second wild card spot. A sweep or even three wins out of four could propel the Halos into that slot.

Tyler Skaggs pitched a strong game, working 6.1 innings and giving up no runs on five hits. He struck out five batters and walked three. But Bud Norris was touched for two home runs in the eighth to set up Trout’s heroics, bringing home Kole Calhoun, Ben Revere and Cameron Maybin.

His three-run double down the left field line was second hit of the night, raising his batting average to .348. Cron also had two hits.

Ricky Nolasco (5-12) gets the start for the Angels on Friday.