Mike Trout continued one of the most dominant stretches of his career Thursday afternoon, hitting his fifth home run of the series as the Los Angeles Angels defeated the New York Yankees 11-4 at Yankee Stadium.
The Angels overpowered New York with another explosive offensive performance and earned a split of the four-game series. Jo Adell added a grand slam late in the game, while Oswald Peraza hurt his former team with key extra-base hits during a decisive middle innings rally.
Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton both homered for New York, but the Yankees could not contain Los Angeles after taking an early lead. The loss continued a difficult stretch for New York, which has now dropped seven of its last nine games.
Trout Continues Historic Series
Mike Trout once again became the center of attention at Yankee Stadium.
The Angels star hit his fifth home run of the series during the seventh inning, sending a slider deep into the left-field seats to extend Los Angeles’ lead. The blast capped another remarkable performance during one of the best offensive series of Trout’s career.
Across four games, Trout finished 6-for-16 with five home runs and nine RBIs.
The veteran outfielder recently adjusted his mechanics at the plate, and the changes appear to be producing immediate results. Trout consistently drove the ball with authority throughout the series and repeatedly punished Yankees pitching mistakes.
His latest homer also extended another unusual streak. Trout has now homered in five consecutive games at Yankee Stadium.
Only a handful of players in baseball history have hit five home runs during a single series against the Yankees. Trout joined a list that includes Jimmie Foxx, Darrell Evans and George Bell.
The performance further reinforced his reputation as one of the game’s most dangerous hitters despite recent injury interruptions in previous seasons.
Angels Break Open Tight Game
The game remained close through the middle innings before Los Angeles pulled away with a four-run sixth inning.
Oswald Peraza, facing his former team, delivered one of the biggest hits of the afternoon with a double that tied the score after Trout reached base earlier in the inning.
Vaughn Grissom followed with a go-ahead RBI single before Josh Lowe added a two-run single that gave the Angels a 6-3 advantage.
The rally completely changed the momentum after the Yankees briefly grabbed control behind home runs from Judge and Stanton.
Los Angeles continued attacking aggressively late in the game. Trout added another homer in the seventh before Jo Adell delivered the final blow with a grand slam in the eighth inning.
The Angels entered the series already among the league leaders in home runs, and Thursday’s performance further highlighted the lineup’s growing power production.
Judge And Stanton Go Deep Early
The Yankees initially appeared positioned to continue their strong history when both Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton homer in the same game.
Judge opened the scoring with his 89th career first-inning home run, continuing his outstanding power production early in games. Stanton later added a two-run shot during the fourth inning to give New York a 3-2 lead.
Historically, the Yankees rarely lose when both sluggers homer in the same game. Entering Thursday, New York had won 53 of 61 such contests, including postseason games.
However, the Angels offense eventually overwhelmed New York’s pitching staff.
Ben Rice also homered for the Yankees during the sixth inning, but the lineup struggled to keep pace once Los Angeles began scoring consistently during the middle innings.
Peraza Burns Former Team
Oswald Peraza delivered one of his strongest games since joining the Angels.
The former Yankees infielder hit a two-run homer during the first inning and later added the game-tying double in the sixth. His performance helped fuel Los Angeles throughout the afternoon.
Peraza appeared especially comfortable at Yankee Stadium and consistently delivered quality at-bats against his former organization.
The Angels relied heavily on balanced offensive contributions throughout the series, and Peraza’s production became a major factor in Thursday’s win.
Yankees Pitching Falters Late
Max Fried entered the game as one of the Yankees’ most reliable starters this season but struggled to contain the Angels lineup.
The left-hander allowed five runs despite surrendering only three hits across 5 1/3 innings. Los Angeles capitalized on walks, timely hits and aggressive baserunning once Fried exited.
Fernando Cruz and the Yankees bullpen could not stop the momentum during the sixth inning rally.
New York manager Aaron Boone also received his first ejection of the season during the eighth inning after arguing from the dugout.
The Yankees pitching staff has faced increasing pressure during the recent losing stretch, particularly against lineups capable of generating power throughout the order.
Angels Bullpen Holds Lead
The Angels pieced together the game on the mound using several pitchers.
Brent Suter opened and worked more than two innings before Sam Aldegheri earned the victory with 1 2/3 innings of relief.
Los Angeles effectively managed the game despite Judge and Stanton’s early home runs. The bullpen stabilized things after the fourth inning and prevented the Yankees from generating another serious rally.
The pitching effort complemented another explosive offensive performance from a lineup that continues producing home runs at one of the highest rates in the American League.
Angels Leave New York With Momentum
The series offered an encouraging sign for Los Angeles after inconsistent stretches earlier in the season.
The Angels matched one of the American League’s top teams offensively and left New York with a split despite facing a difficult road environment.
Trout’s resurgence stood out as the biggest storyline, but the lineup also received important production from Adell, Peraza, Lowe and Grissom.
The offense now leads the American League in home runs and appears increasingly dangerous from top to bottom.
Up Next
The Angels return home Friday to begin a three-game series against the San Diego Padres. José Soriano, one of the league’s hottest pitchers, is expected to start for Los Angeles.
The Yankees remain at home to open a weekend series against Kansas City, with Cam Schlittler scheduled to take the mound Friday night.
