MIKE TROUT hit his fourth homer of the year on Tuesday in the Angels’ 11-1 win over Texas (Flickr/Eric Droust).

It’s been a tradition of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to stumble out of the gate, and then spend a goodly part of the season getting back into the race.

Based on Tuesday’s 11-1 hammering of the Texas Rangers in Arlington, the Halos of 2018 may be able to skip the agony and go straight to the ecstasy.

“We’ve been swinging the bats well for a couple weeks now, so it’s good to see,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “We hit well with guys in scoring position, drove the ball well. We were patient at the plate. I think it speaks to the depth of our lineup. We’ve got some guys swinging the bat well.”

Coupled with Houston’s loss, the Angels’ one-sided win propelled the Orange County team into a tie for first place in the American League West.  Pardon us while we check the schedule for the first clash with the Astros … hmmm …. April 23.

But back to the present. On Wednesday the Angels will try to sweep the Rangers, sending newcomer Jamie Barria to the mound against Matt Moore (0-2).

The boys from Arlington will have to better than they did on Tuesday when the Halos rattled 18 hits around Globe Life Stadium. Mike Trout homered and singled, and two bottom-of-the-order batters – Jefry Marte and Martin Maldonado – each had three hits. Andrelton Simmons also added a four-bagger.

Building a 9-1 lead in the fourth, the Angels provided a nice cushion for starter Tyler Skaggs (2-0), who worked five strong innings, yielding five hits and one earned run while striking out seven and walking four.

After wrapping up the series on Wednesday, the Halos will on Thursday start a series with the Royals in Kansas City that runs into Sunday. The Angels will open a six-game homestand at the Big A on Tuesday, April 17.