Angels complete Home Run Cycle in Win at Mets

Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim connects on a second inning two run home run against the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 21, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

(May 21, 2017 - Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America)

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (23-23) complete a home run cycle in their 12-5 win at the New York Mets (18-24) and avoid a series sweep.

3B Jefry Marte (solo HR), CF Mike Trout (two-run HR), SS Andrelton Simmons (three-run HR) and 1B C.J. Cron (grand slam) combined for a home run cycle. The Mets added another three homers to this slugfest.

The Angels were off to a smashing start. They loaded the bases in the top of the first inning with a single from LF Cameron Maybin, a double from Andrelton Simmons and an intentional walk to Mike Trout. Another walk was issued to Jefry Marte and the Halos had the first run of the game.

C.J. Cron was up next and hit his first home run of the season, which happened to be the second grand slam of his career, to put the Angels up 5-0.

The Angels continued to pour on runs in the second. With one out, Andrelton Simmons reached on a throwing error by 3B Wilmer Flores and back-to-back home runs from Mike Trout and Jefry Marte gave the Halos a commanding 8-0 lead.

It was Mike Trout’s 14th homer and first against a left-handed pitcher this year. For Jefry Marte it was the third long ball of the season.

Unsurprisingly, New York’s SP Tommy Milone (1-2) was relieved after just 1.1 innings of work. He surrendered 7 hits, 2 walks, 3 home runs and 7 earned runs while striking out 3. His ERA and WHIP skyrocketed to 7.91 and 1.73, respectively.

The third inning saw an exchange of runs. The Angels scored on an RBI-double from Mike Trout, who drove in Cameron Maybin, and New York’s SS Matt Reynolds recorded his first homer of the year for a 9-1 score.

CF Curtis Granderson hit a leadoff homer in the fifth for New York’s second run of the game. It was his 4th home run of the season.

Things looked a bit better for the Mets in the sixth inning. LF Michael Conforto hit a one-out double and advanced to third base on a single by 3B Wilmer Flores. RF Jay Bruce followed with his 11th homer of the year to cut the deficit to four runs.

The Angels, however, extended their lead back to seven in the next frame. With two outs, 3B Luis Valbuena walked and moved to third base on a double from Cameron Maybin. Andrelton Simmons homered next for the final score of 12-5. It was his 4th long ball of the season.

Halos SP Jesse Chavez (4-5) pitched 5.2 innings, giving up 7 hits and 5 earned runs while striking out 4. He now has a 4.61 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP on the year.

Mike Trout went 2-for-3 with 2 runs, 1 HR and 3 RBI. He is batting .350 and has 32 runs, 14 HR and 33 RBI in 2017.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim continue their road trip with a four-game series at the Tampa Bay Rays (23-23) from Monday to Thursday.

After tomorrow’s rest day, the New York Mets host the San Diego Padres (15-30) for a three-game series from Tuesday through Thursday.