VIDEO: Trout shakes off injury scare, clobbers grand slam in multi-HR game
Greatness knows no boundaries.
Mike Trout cleared another career milestone Sunday with his major-league leading 30th home run of the season - later followed by his third career grand slam - to become the fastest player to reach the plateau in Los Angeles Angels history.
Trout accomplished the feat in his 97th game, beating the previous record held by Troy Glaus, who needed 102 contests to hit 30 home runs during the 2000 season.
"I don't look at that stuff," Trout said after the Angels' 13-7 victory. "At the end of the year, if that's where it's at, then that's where it's at. I'm just trying to do whatever I can to help the team win."
In what's become typical of his historic young career, Trout - who hit a career-high 36 homers last year - managed to out-do himself after the record-setting solo shot in the first. The reigning MVP cleared the bases with another deep homer to right-center in the sixth, a 412-foot blast that landed inside the so-called "Trout Net."
Trout's heroics were nearly spoiled two innings prior to the slam when he was shaken up and holding his wrist in pain after diving for a ball in the fourth. He stayed in the game and finished 4-for-4 with five RBIs, three runs scored, and a walk.
"It's still a little sore, but it's fine," said Trout, who was spotted icing his wrist after the game.
Trout's 30th and 31st home runs of the season gave him a two-homer edge on teammate Albert Pujols for the major-league lead. Still just 23 years old, Trout entered Sunday with a career-best home run pace.
Year | AB/HR |
---|---|
2015 | 11.9 |
2014 | 16.7 |
2013 | 21.8 |
2012 | 18.6 |
Trout's performance helped the Angels to their seventh win in 10 tries, and gave them a one-game lead over the Houston Astros in the American League West.
(Videos courtesy: MLB.com)