'I've gotta come through': Trout mulls over game-ending strikeout

ANAHEIM -- The storybook script was almost written. The generational cornerstone superstar set up for a thrilling walk-off victory that would seal a comeback and throw an exclamation point on the Angels’ 10,000th regular-season game.

But when Mike Trout took a called third strike from Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel on Monday night at Angel Stadium, leaving the bases loaded and concluding their fifth straight loss, 4-2, it was a reminder of the struggles the club is going through right now.

“I knew what he was going to throw me,” Trout said. “They were throwing me the same stuff the whole game. I’ve gotta come through. I just didn’t. … After [Kimbrel] threw one up … that’s where he pitches, he pitches up, he has that rising fastball … I’ve got to put the ball in play, you know, and come through.”

With the game on the line and the chance for heroics in the first of a nine-game homestand, Trout didn’t swing on an offering from Kimbrel, ultimately watching a 94.5 mph fastball on the outer half squash what was a late rally from an offense that remained dormant for the first six innings against Baltimore’s Albert Suárez.

“Bases loaded, and the opportunity to at least tie? You’ve just got to swing the bat,” said manager Ron Washington of those crucial final few pitches.

It was similar in tone to the Angels’ 5-4 loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park on April 14, when Trout struck out swinging with runners on second and third to seal the defeat.

The big hit has eluded the offense during this skid, the longest such losing streak of the season so far.

“We’re working every day,” said Washington of the offensive struggles. “We’re talking every day, running through the process every day. I’m sitting on the bench. The guys between the lines have to get it done. They’re working on it every single day, and at some point we’ll put it together.”

That the Angels were in that position in the first place was a testament to the gutty performance from lefty Reid Detmers, who went seven innings for the first time in 2024 but was saddled with his first loss as a result.

Baltimore, which leads the Majors in homers (35) and trails only the Braves in slugging percentage (.464) and OPS (.780), tagged Detmers for the first two home runs he’s allowed this season in five starts.

Monday’s outing was also the first of those starts in which Detmers allowed more than one earned run.

But he toughed it out, throwing 99 pitches and striking out three in a performance that kept the Angels in the game.

“He was good,” said Washington. “He just gave up a run here, a run there, but I thought he did great. He got us through seven.”

Detmers was slightly less enthusiastic about his own performance, though he did appreciate the circumstances of going deep in a start to begin a lengthy homestand without an off-day following a multi-city road trip.

“I battled,” Detmers said. “I got through seven, which was huge for the bullpen. Just made a couple mistakes, about three or four pitches I’d like to have back. But other than that, I just went out there and competed.”

Despite the frustrating loss, there was a positive takeaway.

At third base, Miguel Sanó made a few plays that backed up Washington’s pregame comments that the veteran was making strides with the glove.

“Sometimes, perception can bury you,” said Washington, “and as hard as [Sanó] worked in February in Spring Training, he’s started to show that he can carry it over.”

In particular, a diving stop-and-throw in the fifth on a hard grounder from Jorge Mateo resulted in a slick defensive play.

He followed that up three innings later, spearing a 98.8 mph liner off the bat of Anthony Santander shifted closer to second base.

With Anthony Rendon out for a significant portion of time with a left hamstring strain, someone like Sanó could step up and be a valuable option at third base if he can continue to show progress with the glove and provide a little bit of much-needed offense, too.

At any rate, the Angels’ offense will have to figure things out with or without Rendon in order to get back to the level it expects from itself.

“We’re grinding,” said Trout. “We’re giving ourselves chances. You’ve just got to keep giving yourself chances, and things will click.”