Trout hits another birthday HR in Angels’ 8-4 win over O’s

The Orioles responded in the third inning with a run of their own, but poor baserunning kept them from taking the lead.

The Angels lead the wild-card race, but Baltimore has pulled to within two games.

In their past 10 games against one another, the Angels have averaged 3.5 runs while the Orioles have plated 2.8 runs per game. Lake started Friday night as the Orioles’ designated hitter…. The Los Angeles Angels have split their last eight home games. The left-hander had won five of his first seven starts since joining the Angels’ rotation in late June, never allowing more than two runs.

Pitching in front of an announced 42,578, neither starter made it through the sixth; both pitched 5 /3 innings with Gausman giving up six runs and Heaney, four.

The Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Angels only clash a few times a season, but they have been a dependable under play for bettors.

NOTABLE II: Mike Trout homered on his 24th birthday off Gausman in the first inning. Pujols then singled against the Orioles’ defensive shift, but David Murphy grounded out to end the inning.

Nolan Reimold attempted to go to first to third on Gerardo Parra’s single to right, but Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun unleashed a flawless throw to get a sliding Reimold. Baltimore CF Adam Jones is 3-for-22 this month with all the hits coming in one game.3. Jones thought he had homered, but Mike Trout quickly retrieved the ball and threw to second for the third out.

The Orioles padded their league-leading outfield assist total to 32 when Reimold threw out Erick Aybar trying to stretch a single into a double in the second inning.

Gausman responded with a 1-2-3 bottom half, and the Orioles took a 3-1 lead in the 4th on a two-run dinger by Jonathan Schoop that rocketed down the left-field line. David Murphy then blooped a single over Machado’s head to score Trout, who in addition to blasting home runs and making highlight-reel catches is a very good baserunner. The next batter, Johnny Giovatella, doubled him home to tie the game at 3.

It remained that way until the sixth, when catcher Matt Wieters hit a full count sinker from Heaney into the bullpen in left. He has been out since June 21 with inflammation in his left hip. Chad Roe entered in relief and permitted a RBI single by David DeJesus to make it 6-4 Angels. Only 4 other players hit as many home runs, all ended up with at least 500.