Trout launches 20th homer, robs Young twice in Angels win
When you're this good, they call you MVP.
Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout beat the New York Yankees on both sides of the diamond Monday with an impressive all-around performance that included his 20th homer of the season and a pair of terrific catches in center field.
The reigning MVP got to work in the top of the third with the first of two over-the-shoulder catches to rob Yankees outfielder Chris Young of extra bases. With runners on first and second, Trout challenged Young in shallow center before sprinting back to his glove side to make a leaping grab and preserve the Angels' 1-0 lead.
His exploits continued into the bottom half of the inning, when he launched a 403-foot solo shot off CC Sabathia to give the Angels a 2-1 lead. The blast leaves him just two shy of matching his career-high, set last season, of 22 homers before the All-Star break.
Trout then robbed Young again in the fifth on a similar catch with one out and a runner on second, and added one more highlight-reel grab in the sixth on a deep fly into the gap. He swiped his ninth bag of the season in the eighth to cap an exceptional display of all-around skill.
"Real shocker, right?" Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson joked to reporters after the club's 4-1 win. "Trout hits a home run, saves a couple runs with his defense, whatever."
(Videos courtesy: MLB.com)