It is not cruel, but it is an unusual sort of punishment Mike Trout is experiencing. While he was hurt, the Angels played better than anyone expected. Now that he is healthy, they have returned to their mediocre ways. More and more, it appears their improbable playoff hopes are on the verge of collapse, or at least a slow fade. It is not Trout’s fault, of course. But when the team goes down, so will he, still absent a playoff victory as a major leaguer.
Another insufficient offensive effort on Saturday night at Angel Stadium meant another loss, 6-3, to Tampa Bay.