Albert Pujols and C.J. Cron hit two-run homers, and the Los Angeles Angels surged within half a game of playoff position with an 8-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night in Anaheim.
Mike Trout went three for five with a run-scoring double as the Angels (79-74) won their third consecutive and nearly closed the gap on the Houston Astros (80-74), who lost to Texas, for the second AL wild-card spot.
The Angels also moved past the Minnesota Twins (78-75), who lost at Detroit.
Johnny Giavotella tripled and drove in two runs in his return from a 31-game injury absence for the late-charging Angels.