ALBERT PUJOLS had three hits – including a two-run single – in the Angels’ 6-5 win over Seattle Friday (Flickr/Marianne O’Leary).

Like a jockey and horse holding back until the home stretch, the Los Angeles Angels could finally be making their move. With Friday’s 6-5 win over the Mariners in Seattle, the Halos

• pushed their record over .500 at 59-58
• won their fourth straight game
• moved into a tie for second place in the American League West with the M’s
• rose to within a half-game of an American League wild card spot.

Of course, early August is still a bit early to be declaring victory, but the Orange County team could be hitting its stride. Trailing 5-1, the Angels scored four in the seventh inning and won it when Mike Trout scored from second on a Mariner error.

Key contributors at bat were Albert Pujols, who hit a key two-run single during the seventh inning rally, and Trout, who walked three times and scored twice.

“That’s what we do, especially late in the game,” shortstop Andrelton Simmons said of the Angels’ 34th comeback win of 2017. “We never give in. We make the pitchers earn their outs, and we put up good at-bats. Got the bases loaded, got a couple big hits and we came back. The game is never really over for us. We’ve done it enough times that we know it, the opposition knows it, and we’ll try to keep doing it.”

Ricky Nolasco had another mediocre start, lasting five innings and giving up seven hits and five runs (including two home runs). He walked two and struck out three. The Angel bullpen did better, working four shutout innings and yielding just three hits. The win went to Keynan Middleton (3-0).

Another crucial game with the Mariners on Saturday will see the Halos send J.C Ramirez (10-10) to the mound as the starter.