Mike Trout hits his 450th career homer, but the Angels fall to the Mariners 6-4 on June 18 after a late Julio Rodríguez blast. A historic night ends in defeat.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night that should have been a celebration. Mike Trout launched two majestic home runs, reaching the 450 career milestone in spectacular fashion. But in what’s become an all-too-familiar script for Angels fans, the individual brilliance was overshadowed by a collective failure, as the bullpen crumbled in an eventual 6-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners.
It’s a cool number, but I’m focused on helping this team win.
Mike Trout was the entire show for most of Wednesday night. His 17th and 18th homers of the season electrified the Angel Stadium crowd, with the second blast marking his 450th career home run, placing him among MLB's all-time greats. Combined with a two-run double from Taylor Ward and a solid start from Reid Detmers (5.2 IP, 3 ER, 8 K), the Angels held a 4-3 lead heading into the eighth. But the good feelings evaporated when reliever José Soriano served up a go-ahead, three-run homer to Julio Rodríguez, sealing the Halos' fate. 'We battled, but we have to finish games like this,' a frustrated Ron Washington said postgame.
The loss on the field was compounded by a loss on the roster. The Angels placed third baseman Anthony Rendon on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain suffered in Tuesday's game. It's another tough break for the oft-injured infielder, who is expected to miss at least two weeks. In his place, the team recalled infielder Kyren Paris from Triple-A Salt Lake. While the lineup will miss Rendon's veteran presence, it provides a chance for a young player to step up. 'We’ll miss Anthony’s presence, but Kyren has earned this opportunity,' Washington noted, trying to find a silver lining.
Wednesday's collapse put the Angels' most glaring weakness under a microscope: the bullpen. Washington's postgame admission that they 'have to execute better' and are 'looking at all options' now has more context. According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Angels are being linked to Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar. Reports suggest the team has had preliminary discussions, a clear sign that the front office knows the current relief corps isn't enough to contend. With the trade deadline looming, the pressure is mounting to make a move.
Amidst the on-field struggles, there were glimmers of hope. The organization promoted 19-year-old outfield phenom Nelson Rada to Triple-A Salt Lake. After tearing up Double-A with a .312 average and 18 stolen bases, Rada is now just one step away from Anaheim, providing a much-needed jolt of excitement for the future. The team also celebrated its annual Pride Night, filling the stadium with messages of love and inclusion, a welcome reminder of the community that rallies behind the team through thick and thin.
One step forward, two steps back. That was the story of Wednesday night. While Mike Trout continues to build his Hall of Fame case, the team around him struggles to hold up its end of the bargain. The formula is clear: the Angels must solve their late-inning woes, whether through an internal fix or a trade for a proven arm like Bednar, if they hope to turn these milestone nights into meaningful wins. All eyes will now be on the front office and the bullpen to see how they respond to yet another painful lesson.
