ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mike Trout is going to tie and pass many greats on his climb up the home run list. Yet, there is something special when for a couple days you can say you are tied with the Yankee Clipper.
Trout’s two-run shot in the eighth inning of Tuesday night’s 4-0 win over the Boston Red Sox is the 361st home run of his career, which ties him with Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio for 85th.
The three-time AL MVP said he didn’t know he tied DiMaggio until teammate Mickey Moniak told him in the Angels’ clubhouse after the game.
“It means a lot. Anytime you pass or tie a great or even just be in the same conversation with a great, it’s really special, especially another center fielder,” Trout said.
After Taylor Ward got aboard with a double in the eighth inning, Trout hit an 84 mph changeup from Joely Rodriguez into the third row of the stands in right-center for his 11th home run of the season.
It is the third time in his past six games that Trout has gone deep, but he has felt like his timing has been off.
His .275 average is tied for his lowest through his 46 games and his 27.3% strikeout rate is the second-highest in his 13-year career.
“When I’m not on time, I don’t see and recognize pitches. I check swing and swing at a lot of balls in the dirt,” he said. “When I’m early or on time I recognize pitches, put good swings on balls and good things happen.”
Trout is one of 11 players in the AL tied for sixth with 11 home runs this season. Texas‘ Adolis Garcia and the Yankees‘ Aaron Judge are tied for the league lead with 14.