Trout Sits To Rest Hamstring, Angels Fall To Indians 5-2
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Lonnie Chisenhall hit a two-run homer during Cleveland's four-run fourth, and Zach McAllister pitched into the seventh inning of the Indians' 5-2 victory over Jered Weaver and the slumping Los Angeles Angels on Monday night.
Nick Swisher homered and threw out a runner at the plate for the Indians, who won for just the fifth time in 14 games to regain ground in the AL Central.
Cleveland trails first-place Detroit by 6 1/2 games and sits 4 1/2 games out of the second wild-card spot.
McAllister (6-7) gave up five hits while striking out five, earning his second straight victory after a six-start winless stretch.
Mark Trumbo homered and drove in both runs for the Angels, who have lost 11 of 15.
Mike Trout sat out to rest his right hamstring.
The Angels also learned before the game they'll be without Albert Pujols for the rest of the season, shutting down the $240 million slugger who partially tore the plantar fascia in his left foot last month.
Weaver (7-7) allowed eight hits and four runs over six innings in his second straight loss for the Angels.
Los Angeles' longtime ace got into serious trouble only in the fourth, but the Indians' five-hit burst while batting around was more than enough.
Jason Kipnis led off the fourth with a walk, eventually scoring on Carlos Santana's single. After Jason Giambi's sacrifice fly, Chisenhall ended an 0-for-12 skid by putting his seventh homer of the season into the elevated stands in right field.
Los Angeles responded with a run on Trumbo's single later in the fourth, but Swisher threw out Trumbo at the plate on Chris Nelson's fly to medium right field.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia argued catcher Yan Gomes didn't tag Trumbo, but replays were unclear.
Swisher, who had two hits, connected off Kevin Jepsen in the ninth for his 14th homer.
McAllister was sharp in the opening game of the Indians' only series at the Big A this season, combining with three relievers to hold the Angels to six hits.
Before Trumbo's ninth-inning blast, Los Angeles managed to get just three runners in scoring position -- all in the fourth inning. McAllister went nearly 11 weeks between victories before last week's win at Minnesota.
Trumbo added his 29th homer off Indians closer Chris Perez, connecting in his third straight game for the fifth time in his career.
Trout was held out of the Angels' starting lineup after he felt tightness in his right hamstring while running out a double in Sunday's loss to Houston. The All-Star outfielder has reached base in 40 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the majors and the second-longest in team history.
"It feels a lot better today," Trout said before the game. "I feel good, but I don't want to push it. We'll see how it feels tomorrow."
Peter Bourjos started in Trout's absence, but the speedy outfielder went hitless and dropped to 0 for 12 since returning from a lengthy absence with a broken right wrist.
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