Mike Trout homers in third straight game, lifts Angels over Guardians

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Los Angeles Angels had a hitting spree, launching four home runs, including a go-ahead two-run home run by Mike Trout, to secure a victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday night at Angel Stadium in front of 41,128 fans.

Trout hit an 86 mph cutter from right-hander Tanner Bibee in the fifth inning, marking his third consecutive game with a home run. The Angels continued their strong performance, with Logan O'Hoppe also hitting a two-run home run, also hitting in three straight games as well.

In the first inning, Luis Rengifo and Jorge Soler both hit home runs, marking their first of the season.

Angels right-hander Jack Kochanowicz gave up two home runs, one to Carlos Santana in the first inning and another to Bo Naylor, who hit his first of the season in the third inning.

The 24-year-old recently had an impressive performance in Chicago, pitching six innings and allowing four hits along with two earned runs. During his first home start of the season, Kochanowicz faced a challenging situation in the fifth inning with the bases loaded. He managed to get Kyle Manzardo to pop up, successfully escaping the inning without further damage.

Kochanowicz pitched five innings, allowing four hits, three walks, and four strikeouts while throwing 79 pitches. He won his first game at Angel Stadium after going 0-3 and allowing ten earned runs in his first four career starts.

After hitting three home runs the previous night, Jose Ramirez had a tough game, going 0-for-3 with one intentional walk in the fifth inning while there was a runner on first and two outs. Ron Washington noted that he is willing to intentionally walk Ramirez in certain situations, as he remains a significant threat at the plate.

“Each opportunity I get to put him on the bag, I will,” Washington said.

Washington stated that he doesn’t remember players like Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, and Barry Bonds being intentionally walked with the bases empty. The 32-year-old has hit 259 career home runs and started the 2025 season slowly, going 0-for-6 in his first six at-bats. However, since then, Ramirez has improved significantly, going 8-for-15 with four home runs, five RBIs, and two doubles. Despite this improvement, Ramirez is still not considered in the conversation of dangerous hitters, which is likely what Washington believed.

“He’s a good player, but I don’t think he’s at that standard,” Washington said.

The Guardians won the first game of the series, but Bibee struggled to contain the Angels' offense in the second game of the three-game series. The local player from Mission Viejo, CA, made his third career start at Angel Stadium, located just 20 miles from his hometown. Bibee pitched four innings, allowing eight hits, seven earned runs, and one walk, while striking out four batters.

Jorge Soler was moved to right field and Mike Trout was designated as the DH. Washington wanted to give Trout a rest for this game.

“I thought this was the right opportunity to get him off his feet,” Washington said.

It was definitely the right opportunity for Trout, as he hit his third home run of the season. With this home run in the fifth inning, he now has 11 career home runs against the Guardians. This achievement marks the impressive milestone of having double-digit home runs against 13 of the 14 teams in the American League.

The Angels (5-3) will conclude the weekend series on Sunday afternoon, handing the ball to left-hander Tyler Anderson (0-0, 5.40 ERA) while the Guardians (3-5) will send out right-hander Luis Ortiz (0-1, 13.50 ERA).