May 21, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) reacts after being doused with water after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium. Trout hit for the cycle in the 12-0 victory. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
After a mortal performance in April, Mike Trout has been returning to the form that made him a popular choice as 2012’s American League MVP (but eventual runner up).
He punctuated a hot month of May on Tuesday night by hitting for the cycle in the Los Angeles Angels 12-0 win over the Seattle Mariners. He had five RBI in the win.
Here’s how it happened:
- First inning: Trout strikes out looking on three pitches from Mariners starter Aaron Harang.
- Third inning: Trout hits a one out single to first.
- Fourth inning: The second pitch of the at bat is ripped to right center and Trout gets a triple.
- Sixth inning: Trout doubles into the left field corner with the bases loaded.
- Eighth inning: With one out, Trout homers to center field off of Lucas Luetge.
It was Trout’s first three hit game of the year (and obviously his first four hit game as well). Trout scuffled a bit to start the year, carrying a mere .261/.333/.432 line with him into May. Entering Tuesday night’s game, though, Trout had a .308/.410/.662 line in May, and his outburst against the Mariners upped that line to .343/.434/.757 this month and he’s now sporting a .293/.373/.558 slash line this season.
Trout, at 21 years and 287 days old, is the fifth youngest player to hit for the cycle. Only Mel Ott (20 years, 75 days in 1929), Cliff Heathcote (20 years, 140 days in 1918), Arky Vaughan (21 years, 107 days in 1933), and Cesar Cedeno (21 years, 159 days in 1972) were younger.