Trout also walked three and played center field for the first time since April 2024. The three-time MVP played in 130 games last season, his most since 2019 due to various injuries.
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In his 14th opening day start, a franchise record, Trout, 34, broke a scoreless tie in the seventh inning when he sent a 96 mph fastball from reliever AJ Blubaugh (0-1) 403 feet onto the railroad tracks in left-center field. It was his fifth opening day home run, also a club record.
The Angels snapped an eight-game road losing streak in their season openers, starting 1-0 on the road for the first time since 2013.
Oswald Peraza had an RBI single in the eighth and Nolan Schanuel homered in the ninth.
José Soriano (1-0) allowed two hits and four walks in six innings and struck out seven. Four relievers completed the three-hit game, with Jordan Romano working the ninth to earn the save in his Angels debut.
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Hunter Brown started for Houston and allowed four hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out nine.
The Astros went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine runners.
Houston designated hitter Yordan Alvarez may have been robbed of a home run in the first inning because Daikin Park’s retractable roof was closed. Alvarez fired a towering shot toward the right field foul pole, but it bounced off a horizontal beam and landed in foul territory.
It was considered a foul ball. The Astros challenged and the decision was upheld after a review. Alvarez then struck out swinging.
Next
The teams resume the four-game series on Friday, with left-hander Yusei Kikuchi starting for Los Angeles opposite right-hander Mike Burrows.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb