CHICAGO -- Brandon Phillips, Luis Valbuena and Mike Trout launched second-inning home runs to back rookie Parker Bridwell as the Angels kept their flickering playoff hopes alive with a 9-3 win over the White Sox on Tuesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The Angels remain five games behind the Twins for the second American League Wild Card spot, though they drifted closer to elimination after Minnesota defeated the Indians, 8-6, to lower its magic number to one with five games left to play.
Jose Abreu homered in the first to give the White Sox an early 1-0 lead, but the Angels surged ahead after battering Chris Volstad for six runs in the second via Phillips' two-run homer, Valbuena's solo shot and Trout's three-run blast.