The Angels fell to the Astros 6-2 on June 20, 2025, as Mike Trout's return was overshadowed by a Yordan Alvarez homer. Can the Halos' offense recover?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Even the welcome sight of Mike Trout back in center field wasn't enough to spark the Angels on Friday night. A brutal first-inning homer by Yordan Alvarez put the Halos in an early hole they could never escape, leading to a deflating 6-2 loss to the Houston Astros and dropping the team to 36-39 on the season.
We need to play cleaner baseball, especially against teams like Houston. We had some chances tonight but couldn't get the big hit.
The game felt lost almost before it began. Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi was ambushed in the first inning, surrendering a three-run bomb to Yordan Alvarez that set a somber tone at Angel Stadium. Kikuchi battled through five innings, ultimately charged with five runs (four earned) on eight hits, but the early damage was insurmountable. While the bullpen was solid, holding Houston to just one run over the final four frames, the offense couldn't muster a comeback against Astros starter Hunter Brown and their bullpen.
The big pregame news was the return of Mike Trout, who slotted back into the lineup after missing a game with minor calf tightness. Manager Ron Washington confirmed Trout 'felt good' and was eager to play, but his presence didn't translate to runs. Trout finished the night 1-for-4 with a single, part of a larger offensive malaise that saw the team manage just six total hits and leave eight runners stranded.
The brightest spot on a tough night was undoubtedly Taylor Ward. He provided one of the Angels' only runs with a solo home run in the fourth inning, his 20th of the season. The blast was more than just a run; it marked the second consecutive season Ward has reached the 20-homer plateau, a significant achievement for the outfielder.
While the big league club struggled, there were glimmers of hope in Triple-A. The Salt Lake Bees fell in a close 5-4 game, but shortstop prospect Kyren Paris continued his strong season, launching his 12th home run. Top pitching prospect Caden Dana also had a decent outing, striking out seven batters over five innings of three-run ball.
Friday's loss was a classic case of 'what-if'. What if the first inning had gone differently? What if the team had gotten the big hit that manager Ron Washington lamented? Now three games below .500, the Angels must quickly flush this one. They have two more chances to win a crucial series against a division rival and prove they can play the 'cleaner baseball' their manager is demanding. The bats need to wake up, and it needs to happen tomorrow.
