Trout adds to historic clout with 200th homer
Angels star's 2nd blast of game sparks comeback vs. Mariners
ANAHEIM -- Michael Trout reached an impressive milestone on Friday night, launching his 200th career home run in the first inning of the Angels' 6-5 win over the Mariners at Angel Stadium.
Trout crushed a 2-1 changeup from left-hander Marco Gonzales to center field to give the Angels a 1-0 lead. With the blast, Trout joined Alex Rodriguez, Jimmie Foxx and Mickey Mantle as the only American League players to reach the 200-home run mark before their age-26 seasons.
Only three other Angels -- Tim Salmon, Garret Anderson and Brian Downing -- have hit 200 home runs, and Trout is the youngest to do so.
"I have much respect for him, obviously," Gonzales said. "That's why I threw him a changeup there, not giving him any heaters in the zone. He made me pay. I hung it and he put an impressive swing on it."
Trout homered again in the eighth inning with a leadoff blast off Mariners reliever Nick Vincent. That homer traveled a projected 402 feet with an exit velocity of 111 mph, according to Statcast™, and helped spark a four-run inning for the Angels, which led to the club's 47th comeback victory of the season.
"Just got some pitches to hit and didn't miss them," Trout said.
Despite missing six weeks with a torn thumb ligament, Trout now has 33 home runs and 72 RBIs this season. The 26-year-old center fielder leads the American League in both on-base percentage (.446) and slugging percentage (.638) and has reached base safely in 102 of his 112 games this year.
"Just trying to finish out on a positive note," Trout said. "We're going to try to win games and obviously finish strong."