Trout routs Texas; are Brewers next?

Riding a four-game winning streak, the Los Angeles Angels will hope to push it to five in a row tonight (Monday) when they host the Milwaukee Brewers in the first game of a three-game set in Anaheim.

As his been the case throughout this recent uptick, the Halos have put together heavy hitting from Mike Trout and strong pitching from a revitalized starting rotation and bullpen.

On Sunday the Angels defeated the Rangers 7-2 as Trout hit his fifth homer of the season in the sixth inning, tying or setting all sorts of obscure but revealing records. Brian Goodwin added a home run in the seventh, and overall the Angels outhit the visitors 9-6.  The team record is now 4-6 after a 1-6 start.

Trout’s output would be likely be more impressive if the opposing team wasn’t issuing him bases on balls like Monopoly money. The Rangers walked him three times. He’s been walked 11 times in 10 games – best in Major League Baseball – and has 704 career free passes.

The Halo hurlers gave up two runs in the second inning and none afterwards. Starter Chris Stratton went four innings and gave up four hits and two runs. He struck out four batters and walked one. The win went to Justin Anderson (2-0).

“Mike is the best player in the world,” said Anderson.

Today the Angels will hand the ball to Trevor Cahill (0-1), who will duel the Brewers’ Jhoulys Chacin (2-0). Game time is 7:07 p.m.