The Los Angeles Angels roared out of the gate in their opener against the Seattle Mariners on Monday night. Despite the decisive 8-4 win, the Halos were eliminated from playoff contention during the game, as the Oakland Athletics defeated the Texas Rangers to clinch the final American League postseason berth. The downcast looks were evident as the Angels players went through the handshake line at the end of the game. Super-rookie Mike Trout appeared to fight back tears in a postgame interview with Jose Mota.
While the Angels season came to a disappointing end, there were a lot of positives to take away from the night. It was an evening where the Halos were able to best Felix Hernandez and the offense fired on all cylinders.
The Angels jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an Albert Pujols RBI double and RBI singles from Mark Trumbo and Howie Kendrick. Casper Wells got one of those runs back for the Mariners in the bottom of the first on a Casper Wells home run.
In the top of the fourth, Mike Trout hit an RBI single to make it 4-1 Angels. Los Angeles broke the game wide open in the sixth, as Trout drove in two runs with a triple and came in to score on a single from Torii Hunter, making it 7-1. The Mariners were able to score three runs of their own in the bottom of the seventh on a Justin Smoak double, a fielding error by Kendrick and an RBI single from Trayvon Robinson that made it 7-4.
The Angels added one final run on an RBI double by Kendrick in the top of the ninth. Trout and Kendrick had four hits each in the game.
C.J. Wilson picked up his 13th win after going 6.1 innings and giving up two earned runs on six hits and five walks, while striking out seven.