New York: Mike Trout’s spectacular leaping catch at the centre-field fence denied Baltimore an early home run and helped the Los Angeles Angels hammer the Orioles 13-1 on Wednesday.
Trout’s first-innings highlight reel catch set the tone for a one-sided away victory as the red-hot Angels (42-33) won for the sixth time in seven games to continue their climb in the American League West.
“It was just one of those great catches,” Trout said after robbing Baltimore’s J.J. Hardy of the homer.
“At first I didn’t think it would take me all the way to the wall. I just jumped as high as I could and came down with it.”
Los Angeles stormed to a 9-1 lead by the fourth inning, handing Baltimore pitcher Jason Hammel (8-3) his worst outing of the season and making it an easy night for starter Jered Weaver.
The Angels ace struck out six batters in 6 2/3 innings on the way to picking up the win.
Weaver, who is returning to the rotation after spending three weeks on the injured list with a back strain, got plenty of support from the Angels offence with 16 hits.
Trout had four of those hits to increase his league-leading batting average to .344 while Kendrys Morales had four RBIs.
The Angels have now won 13 of their last 14 away games, and after a rough start to the season are 4 1/2 games behind AL West leading Texas.
“We’re hitting on all cylinders,” said outfielder Torii Hunter, who hit a home run. “[Trout’s] catch gave me goose bumps, I was that excited for him. It reminded me of when I was that young guy.”
Wilson Betemit had three hits for Baltimore (41-33), who have lost six of eight.
