MIKE TROUT has plenty to smile about. On Sunday he hit a monster home run as the Angels beat the White Sox 6-5 and remained in first place in the AL West (Flickr/Ian D’Andrea).

 With hang-on wins Sunday, the Angels and Dodgers each lead their divisions.

Trout goes deep, Angels hang on

Mike Trout hammered a 430-foot home run in the first inning to score the first of his team’s six runs on Sunday against the White Sox in Chicago, but the Los Angeles Angels had to hold off a five-run rally by the home team in the bottom of the ninth to claim a 6-5 win.

The victory keeps the Angels (15-8) in first place in the American League West, 2.5 games ahead of the second place Seattle Mariners (12-10).

Trout was 2-for-2 with three runs scored and one run driven in. He would likely have done better except he was walked three times. His batting average is now .344.  Taylor Ward continued his hot hitting as well, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a walk. Ward is now batting .400.

Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani gave Angels’ fans a scare by coming out of the game with groin pain, but he is expected to be able to play on Monday.

Mike Lorenzen (3-1) got the win, working 8.1 innings. He gave up nine hits and three earned runs. He walked two and struck out two.

The Angels will complete the series on Monday in an 11:10 a.m. game.

Dodgers tame Tigers, back in first

Like the Angels, the Los Angeles Dodgers built an early lead and held off a late rally to post a win Sunday afternoon. The Blue Crew led 6-0 before finally recording a 6-3 win over the Detroit Tigers at Chavez Ravine.

Walker Buehler (3-1) was sharp, working five shutout innings in which he yielded six hits and one walk. He lowered his ERA to a glittering 2.12.

Freddie Freeman was 2-for-4 and drove in a run on a double.  The former Washington National has a team-best .309 batting average.

Sunday’s win – combined with a loss by the San Francisco Giants – moved the Dodgers (14-7) back into first place in the National League West. They lead the San Diego Padres (15-8) by a few percentage points – .667 to 652 – and the Giants are in third at (14-8).

Just in time for the Giants to come to town on Tuesday for a two-game set.