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. 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 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.

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 first in line.

Washingtоn stated, “I’m just trying to shake some things up.” “I’m just attempting to make my lineup somewhat coherent. Furthermore, [Trout] has done it previously, so it’s nothing new to him. And I’m all with it if we can score a run in the opening inning. However, all I’m doing is experimenting to see what sticks and what works.’

Despite being an 11-time All-Star and three-time AL MVP, Trout hasn’t consistently batted first since his first year in 2012. On August 20, 2020, he batted first for the Angels in the second game of a doubleheader that was played in Houston.