ANAHEIM, Calif. – When you’ve had a long and impressive career like Mike Trout’s, chances are every game comes with a chance to make history or surpass a career milestone.
That was the case in the first inning of the Los Angeles Angels’ 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Trout stepped up and ripped a single into right field, the 1,000th of his career, to set the stage for the Angels’ first scoring rally of the game.
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Jo Adell followed Trout with a single of his own and soon after Trey Mancini, one of the newest additions to the Angels’ Major League roster, ripped a triple over the right field wall to score both Trout and Adell and give the Angels a 2-0 lead.
Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout #27 bats during an MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 12, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
Jon Bryan – The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout #27 bats during an MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 12, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
“There you are [Mancini] a great boy and a great player, that’s why he’s here. And we need him, so it’s nice to see him do that job,” Angels starter Sam Aldegheri said.
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Sam Aldegheri gets his shot
No one was more grateful for Mancini’s triple than fellow Italian Aldegheri, who was looking to earn a permanent spot on the mound with Los Angeles.
Aldegheri has been called up and sent to Triple-A several times this season and has seen use as both a starter and bullpen while in the Major Leagues.
“I’m very happy that they gave me the chance to start tonight. Yes, I wanted to show that I can host these games,” said Aldegheri.
Los Angeles Angels Sam Aldegheri #61 pitches during an MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 12, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
Jon Bryan – The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Angels Sam Aldegheri #61 pitches during an MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 12, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
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With the news that Jack Kochanowicz will need season-ending Tommy John surgery, a void opened up that Aldegheri was looking to fill and Friday was his way to try. A successful experiment.
Aldegheri went five innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits while walking three and striking out four. It was a modest, yet successful journey and left an impression on manager Kurt Suzuki.
“He definitely committed a crime,” Suzuki said of Aldegheri. “He’s got his bum out for the night and he’s definitely got himself into the conversation.”
Chase Silseth took over in the sixth inning and kept things scoreless while striking out two and the ball was in the hands of Mitch Farris in the seventh inning… and more.
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Farris pitched a scoreless seventh inning while allowing one walk, then was ejected in the eighth inning. That inning was similarly uneventful except for Austin Slater’s double but still, no runs.
Los Angeles Angels Chase Silseth #63 performs his mound ritual during an MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 12, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
Jon Bryan – The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Angels Chase Silseth #63 performs his mound ritual during an MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 12, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
Farris was then sent back in the ninth inning trying to save nine, a move Suzuki based on his trust in Farris and the benefit of saving the Angels’ depleted bullpen.
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“[I was] I was a little surprised, but I was ready for this moment and I wanted to close it out right there,” Farris said of being eliminated in the ninth. “I ended up not being as accomplished as I would have liked, but we got the win. That’s all that matters.”
Farris got two outs in the ninth, but couldn’t close the game after two singles and a walk that allowed the Rays to take a 4-3 lead and put the tie in the third.
Los Angeles Angels Mitch Farris #70 pitches during an MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 12, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
Jon Bryan – The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Angels Mitch Farris #70 pitches during an MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 12, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
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Ryan Zeferjahn came in to relieve Farris and despite walking Junior Caminero to load the bases, he struck out Cedric Mullins swinging to close the game for the Angels’ third win.
“It was good. Like we said from the beginning, right? We’re going to need everyone,” Suzuki said of Zeferjahn. “Different guys will step up at different times. And tonight it was Sily [Silseth],Farris and Zef and Zef came in big right there and closing the door was big.”
