Superstar Mike Trout was pushed up to the leadoff spot for the first time since 2020 on Tuesday against the Orioles, as the Angels looked to ignite their flagging offense.

Trout’s leadoff bоmb in the first inning gave the Angels an early lead, so the move paid off right away. And it spurred the аttаck, as the Angels’ 7-4 victory at Angel Stadium ended their five-game losing streak with a barrage of seven runs. With two hits apiece, Logan O’Hoppe, Jo Adell, Luis Rengifo, and Zach Neto led the bottom of the lineup in scoring.

“I made a wise decision tonight,” grinned Angels manager Ron Washingtоn. But Mike deserves all the credit. I don’t receive it.

Though it was Trout’s first since September 12, 2012, at Texas, it was his sixth leadoff home run of the season. In addition, it was his ninth home run of the season, tying Marcell Ozuna of Atlanta for the Major League lead. Trout’s previous achievement of becoming the Rangers’ manager ironically came from Washingtоn.

Trout was in a bit of a funk going into the game, having only Һit.156 (7-for-45) in his previous 11 games, including a strikeout while having the bases loaded in Monday’s 4-2 series opening loss. However, in a 1-2 count, Trout smashed a 97.6 mph fastball over the heart of the plate from Grayson Rodriguez to right center field. It traveled 378 feet, as predicted by Statcast, after leaving the bat at 104.6 mph.

It was fantastic, O’Hoppe remarked. You must adore a leadoff bоmb, obviously. It was strange to see him take the lead when you looked up. However, we would really like to see him continue if he accomplishes that.

Prior to the game, Ron Washingtоn, the manager of the Angels, stated that he just wished to change up his starting lineup. Previously leading the team in hits this season, third baseman Anthony Rendon is now on the injured list after sustaining a left hamstring strain on Saturday. On Monday, Nolan Schanuel was the starting pitcher, but Washingtоn stated he will continue to use Trout in that capacity moving forward.