Mark Trumbo's 23rd home run of the season, a three-run shot in the seventh inning that gave the Angels a 4-2 lead over the Yankees, wasn't quite enough to secure a win as the Angels bullpen faltered and New York prevailed 6-5. Trumbo's home run Friday night marked the fifth straight game he's homered against the Bronx Bombers, a feat that Albert Belle accomplished in 1994 - the last time a Yankees opponent had allowed such a hitting clinic, according to STATS LLC. Harold Baines also managed it in 1984-85, and was, until now, the only other player to do that against New York, the Yankees said in citing the Elias Sports Bureau.
"Yeah? I guess, pretty cool," Trumbo said when he was made aware of his accomplishment. "But if it wasn't enough to get a win, it's just a novelty." The young power hitter almost hit another one out in the eighth inning but that ball was caught at the top of the wall by Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher.
After a solid seven-inning start by C.J. Wilson, Scott Downs took over in the eighth and subsequently gave up four earned runs in two-thirds of an inning, including a three run shot by Mark Teixiera. The Angels, leading 5-2 to start the eighth, went on to lose 6-5. Prior to Friday night, the Angels had blown just two saves in their past 29 games, and Downs had given up just one earned run in his first 30 appearances this season -- a 0.30 ERA.
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