The evening began with birthday boy Josh Hamilton launching a deep 2-run home run into left centerfield. The star of Arte Moreno's 2012 offseason looks like he is finally ready to climb out of his season-long funk. And that could very well have been the story of the night, but the 32-year-old's birthday bash was overshadowed by a kid 11 years his junior: Mike Trout, who made the Mariners pitching staff his personal punching bag.
The rising star is looking more and more like the absolute beast he was last season with each passing day, but tonight's game was special. Not only did the Kid match his career-high RBI total (5), he hit for the cycle, becoming the first Halo player to do it since Chone Figgins in 2006. It's hard to believe Mike Trout is only 21 years old. It's even harder to believe that he became the youngest player in American League history to ever hit for the cycle.
Let's take a moment, in the midst of this here disappointing season, and really appreciate just how freakishly good Mike Trout is. We are watching a supreme talent, who is only getting better. Scary.
——
Game Notes
— Jerome Williams is making an emphatic case for a permanent stay in the starting rotation. The right-hander dominated the hapless Mariners over eight shut out innings, featuring a nasty 2-seam fastball/sinker to induce tons of ground ball outs. Once Jered Weaver returns, Mike Scioscia and Jerry Dipoto may have to swallow their pride and send Joe Blanton to the bullpen. We'll see how that goes.
— Any time Josh Hamilton is hitting balls hard the opposite way, you know he's going good. The home run he launched to left-center was crushed. Could we be seeing the beginnings of a hot streak?
—–
Halo Hero of the Game
Who's got two thumbs, was doused in a post-game ice bath by his teammates, and wins at everything? This guy!
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
