Trout, Angels resume series with Twins
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(SportsNetwork.com) - Another game, another accomplishment for Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout.
After becoming the youngest player in club history to drive in 100 runs in a season, Trout aims to lead the American League West-leading Angels to another victory on Saturday in the third contest of a four-game set with the Minnesota Twins.
Trout drove in a pair of runs in Friday night's 7-6 extra-inning victory, giving him a career-high and AL-leading 100 RBI on the year. The 23-year-old surpassed Troy Glaus as the youngest Angel to reach the century mark and joined Garret Anderson and Jim Edmonds as the only center fielders in team history with 100-RBI seasons.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I just try not to do too much and put the ball in play. I had a couple opportunities last couple of games to do that. We've got guys behind me that can pick me up," Trout told the Angels' website.
Though Trout knocked in two runs, it was Erick Aybar who had the key RBI, lifting a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th inning to lead Los Angeles to its eight victory in 10 games and it extend its lead over second-place Oakland to six games.
Kole Calhoun finished 3-for-6 with two RBI and four runs scored for the Angels, who moved 30 games above .500 (85-55).
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We left a lot of guys (in scoring position) early, but we got some big hits late," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia.
Minnesota lost for the sixth time in eight games, falling just shy of a victory after Trevor Plouffe hit a two-out, two-run double off Angels closer Huston Street in the ninth to tie the game.
"We came up short again, but the boys are giving it everything they have," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Angels will try to get as much as they feel comfortable out of Cory Rasmus tonight when he makes his second career start. His first was a spot start on Saturday versus Oakland and he held the Athletics to one hit over three scoreless innings, striking out six without giving up a walk.
"Cory got us off on a great foot," said Scioscia. "He did what we wanted him to do."
Seven relievers followed Rasmus in that victory over Oakland and the club will likely follow a similar plan today.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The right-hander is 3-1 with a 2.48 earned run average in 25 total appearances this year and 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in three previous relief stints versus the Twins.
Minnesota starts Phil Hughes, who has won five of his past six starts to get to 15-9 with a 3.54 ERA on the year.
Hughes bounced back from a setback on Aug. 27 to beat Baltimore 6-4 on Monday. The righty was charged with three runs over eight innings, but all were unearned as he worked around five hits without giving up a walk.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hughes is 3-3 with a 7.71 ERA in nine previous meetings with the Angels, six of those starts.
The Angels swept a three-game set from the Twins earlier in the season.