MIKE TROUT homered and went 4-for4 in the Angels’ 8-7 win over the White Sox Thursday night (Flickr/Keith Allison).

Despite a near-collapse near the end of the game, the Los Angeles Angels managed to pull out a fairly meaningful victory Thursday night.

The Halos defeated the Chicago White Sox 8-7, surviving a four-run rally by the visitors in the top of the ninth. It was the Angels’ third win in four games and at 60-63, moved them to within one game of the third place Texas Rangers (60-61).

It was also a showcase for Mike Trout, who went 4-for-4, including his 40th home run of the season, tying him for the major league lead with the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger.

“It’s pretty cool, pretty special,” Trout said. “Coming into the season, telling myself I’d hit 40, I’d be really happy with that. I just got to keep it going, try to finish strong and see where it goes.”

He scored four times and pushed his batting average to .298.

Justin Upton also went deep, slamming a three-run home run in the sixth. It was his eighth of the season.

The Angels led 8-2 after six innings, but the Chisox (54-66) rallied with one run in the seventh and four in the ninth. Andrew Heaney (2-3) pitched a good start, going seven innings and yielding four hits and three runs. He struck out six and walked no one, but was touched for two homers.

Game two of the series will be today (Friday) with Patrick  Sandoval (0-0) making the start for the Halos.