Your bag is empty.
Mike Trout has struggled with injuries the last few years. Once on pace to be among the greatest ever, he’s taken a hit. He’s still a surefire Hall of Famer, but the days of Trout dominating seemed to be over. He just couldn’t stay healthy and wasn’t the same legendary hitter. Well, it appears that the reports of his death were extremely exaggerated.
Mike Trout dominates Yankees in historic fashion
The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels just played to a split in a four-game midweek series. The Angels probably should’ve won all four, as the run differential was still +11 to the Angels. They got walked off twice. The reason they played so well is simple. Mike Trout came all the way back.
If it seemed like Trout was hitting home runs every at-bat, that’s because he basically did. Trout had five home runs in the four-game series, and he was on base plenty more than that. The three-time MVP was historic as a visitor to Yankee Stadium, reminding everyone exactly who he was.
His home runs were pretty clutch, too. They often tied the game or took the lead. One even extended the lead right after New York cut into the deficit, thereby putting the momentum back on LA’s side. They moved to 10-10 after the series, which is just a half-game back of first in the AL West.
Yankee history
Only three players in MLB history had ever hit five home runs in a series against the Yankees in the Bronx. Per MLB statistician Sarah Langs, Jimmie Foxx did it in 1933. George Bell did it in 1990. Darrell Evans did it in 1985, and now Mike Trout has joined that incredible club.
He hit two home runs on Tuesday to open the series as part of a wild back-and-forth with Aaron Judge. Both of them had two home runs, making it the first time two three-time MVPs had multiple homers each in a game in 70 years. Trent Grisham also had two homers off the bench in that one.
Then, he hit a home run in each of the next two games. In the seventh inning, Trout demolished one to push the lead to 7-4. After an intentional walk later on, Jo Adell made the Yankees pay for not pitching to Trout by smashing a game-clinching Grand Slam.
The new Yankee Stadium has only been around since 2009. Still, Trout became the first person to ever visit and hit home runs on four consecutive days since the stadium was built. He had one of the greatest series as a visitor the Yankees have ever witnessed.
Angels comment on greatness
Mike Trout didn’t realize he had made history with his seventh-inning shot on Thursday. “I heard that after the game,” the outfielder said. “It’s pretty surreal. All the great players that came through here, so it’s pretty cool.” It was a clear reminder of what he can be at the plate when healthy.
“Honestly, not surprising,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “When you’re with Mike every day, there’s nothing that you believe that he can’t do.” If Trout is healthy and hitting like this, he might be in play for his fourth career MVP.
“At this point it’s vintage Mike Trout,” Adell said. “When he’s healthy and feeling good, there’s nothing like it. It’s special. It’s one of a kind. So for all of us to experience it, it’s special.” Suzuki added,”He’s unbelievable. He really is. It’s been an amazing week for him.”
“He’s unreal,” Yankees star Giancarlo Stanton said of Trout. “Cool showing from him and Judgie all series. Obviously, you don’t want that against us, but you got to acknowledge the greatness.” There were a lot of home runs hit, but no one had more than Trout.
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