Mike Trout Hits a Home Run to Lead Angels to Season-Opening Victory Against Astros
HOUSTON — Mike Trout launched a home run on Thursday, igniting his hopes for a successful season as the Los Angeles Angels secured a 3-0 victory over the Houston Astros in their season opener. This marks Trout’s most recent step toward a bounce-back year after a challenging stretch of injuries.
In his first appearance in center field since April 2024, the three-time MVP not only hit a decisive home run but also walked three times during the game. Last season, he managed to play 130 games, his highest total since 2019, but still dealt with various injuries.
Trout, making a franchise-record 14th opening day start at age 34, broke a scoreless tie in the seventh inning by connecting with a 96 mph fastball from reliever AJ Blubaugh, sending it 403 feet onto the train tracks in left-center. This home run marked his fifth on opening day, setting yet another club record.
The victory ended the Angels’ eight-game losing streak in road season openers and began their season on the road with a win for the first time since 2013.
In addition to Trout’s contributions, Oswald Peraza delivered an RBI single in the eighth inning, and Nolan Schanuel homered in the ninth. Starting pitcher José Soriano (1-0) excelled, allowing just two hits and four walks over six innings while striking out seven. Relief efforts concluded with four pitchers, including Jordan Romano, who earned a save in his Angels debut.
For the Astros, Hunter Brown pitched 4⅔ innings, giving up four hits and four walks while striking out nine. Houston struggled at the plate, going 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position and leaving nine men on base.
A potentially pivotal moment came in the first inning when designated hitter Yordan Alvarez hit a towering shot toward the right field foul pole, but the closed retractable roof at Daikin Park prevented what could have been a home run. The ball struck a horizontal rafter and landed foul, and despite the Astros’ challenge, the call was upheld after review. Alvarez later struck out.
The teams will continue their four-game series on Friday, with Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi set to face off against Astros right-hander Mike Burrows.
