Mike Trout hits HR #396, but the Angels fall to the Mets 6-3 on July 23, 2025. Pete Alonso's homer seals the sweep, overshadowing Trout's historic chase.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another one of those days for the Halos. A day where a moment of individual brilliance was swallowed by the reality of a team-wide struggle. Despite a historic blast from Mike Trout, the Angels fell 6-3 to the New York Mets, capping a frustrating three-game sweep at Citi Field and sending the team back to Anaheim with more questions than answers.
Mike Trout is now just four home runs away from 400 and a single RBI shy of 1,000, on the cusp of joining baseball's most elite company.
The undisputed highlight in an otherwise forgettable afternoon was Mike Trout's third-inning solo shot, the 396th of his career. The homer also brought his RBI total to 999, putting him on the very doorstep of the 400 HR/1,000 RBI club. It's a monumental achievement in the making, but it was the only run the Angels could muster against Mets starter Sean Manaea. The game's decisive blow came from Mets slugger Pete Alonso, whose three-run homer in the third inning off Jake Eder put New York ahead for good. A seventh-inning rally, sparked by runs from Luis Rengifo and Chris Taylor, offered a glimmer of hope, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit as Edwin Díaz shut the door for his 21st save.
Amid the loss, there were a couple of other bright spots. Chris Taylor, activated from the injured list just this week after nursing a broken hand since June, made his presence felt immediately with an RBI double in the seventh. His return provides a much-needed veteran bat in the lineup. On the mound, left-hander Jake Eder was tasked with a bullpen day start and gutted his way through a career-high six innings. While he was tagged for five runs, his ability to eat innings saved a taxed bullpen, a necessary sacrifice for a pitching staff stretched thin.
There's no time to dwell on the sweep in the Big Apple. The Angels will fly home to open a crucial series against the AL West rival Seattle Mariners on Thursday. The team has announced that Yusei Kikuchi (4-6, 3.13 ERA) will get the ball in the opener. He'll face off against Mariners' rookie right-hander Logan Evans (3-3, 3.81 ERA). A change of scenery and a return to Angel Stadium could be exactly what this team needs to reset and snap the losing streak.
While the sting of a sweep is fresh, all eyes will be on Mike Trout at Angel Stadium as he chases history. Can the Halos rally around their superstar's pursuit of greatness and get back in the win column against a tough Mariners squad? Thursday's series opener will be the first test.
