Angels starting pitcher Trevor Cahill throws to the plate during the first inning of Monday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Trevor Cahill throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout takes off his helmet after the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Trevor Cahill throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Mike Moustakas, center, is greeted by teammates after scoring on a single by Orlando Arcia during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich catches a ball hit by Los Angeles Angels’ Jonathan Lucroy during the second inning of a baseball game, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout leaps to catch a ball hit by Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels catches a fly ball hit by Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 08, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout throws the bal after catching a fly ball hit by Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich heads toward the dugout after he flew out to Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Tommy La Stella, left, celebrates his two-run home run with Mike Trout during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Tommy La Stella hits a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout runs to second base during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout watches action near first base during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Tommy La Stella celebrates his two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Mike Moustakas celebrates his home run in the dugout during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Mike Moustakas celebrates his home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Kole Calhoun, right, is caught stealing second base by Milwaukee Brewers’ Mike Moustakas during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich walks away from the batter’s box after striking out during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels fields a single hit by Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 08, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on prior to a game against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 08, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels is unable to catch a solo homerun hit by Mike Moustakas #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 08, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Trevor Cahill #53 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on after allowing a solo homerun hit by Mike Moustakas #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 08, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Jesus Aguilar #24 of the Milwaukee Brewers strikes out as Jonathan Lucroy #20 of the Los Angeles Angels throws to third base during the fourth inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 08, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols watches his fly ball during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout runs to first base after hitting a group ball during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols watches his fly ball during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Justin Bour watches his fly ball during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ David Fletcher watches his fly ball during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Ryan Braun flips his bat after swinging at a pitch during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Justin Bour hits a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Justin Bour #41 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts to hitting a two-run homerun during the eighth inning of a game as Yasmani Grandal #10 of the Milwaukee Brewers looks on at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 08, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Justin Bour watches the flight of his two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Justin Bour #41 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts to hitting a two-run homerun during the eighth inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 08, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Justin Bour comes around after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Justin Bour, left, celebrates his tw-run home run with Albert Pujols during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Justin Bour #41 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is congratulated at the dugout after hitting a two-run homerun during the eighth inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 08, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Justin Bour, left, hugs Kole Calhoun while celebrating Bour’s two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Cody Allen throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Cody Allen watches a fly ball during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Cody Allen #37 is congratulated by Jonathan Lucroy #20 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-2 in a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 08, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout, right, and Peter Bourjos shake hands as they celebrate the team’s 5-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in a baseball game, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, left, of Japan, and Mike Trout celebrate the team’s 5-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in a baseball game, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout, far right, listens to the national anthem before the team’s baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ANAHEIM — All Mike Trout had to do Monday was rob a home run.
He let his teammates do the hitting.
On the same night when Trout’s four-game home run streak came to an end, the Angels’ center fielder denied Christian Yelich two bases, maybe three or four, with a leaping catch against the fence in the third inning. Andrelton Simmons hit his first home run of 2019 and added a big defensive play of his own in the Angels’ 5-2 win.
Simmons’ towering shot to left field – on a shoulder-high breaking ball from former teammate Jhoulys Chacin (2-1) – broke a 2-2 tie in the fourth inning. That remained the go-ahead run thanks to a lock-down effort from Angels starter Trevor Cahill (1-1) and three relievers.
On a night of firsts, Tommy La Stella and Justin Bour also hit their first home runs of the season.
Trout went 0 for 2 with a pair of walks, after going 7 for 14 with five home runs in his last five games, but it didn’t matter.
“It’s good to contribute,” said Bour, the first baseman who capped the scoring with a late home run. “Obviously Mike’s been normal Mike. It’s good to pick him up.”
The Angels (5-6) won their fourth straight game on the heels of a five-game losing streak.
Trout received a superstar’s share of applause after robbing Yelich, the reigning National League Most Valuable Player, with the Angels nursing a 2-1 lead. Following the catch, Trout looked back at Yelich and tapped the bill of his cap. Yelich doffed his helmet. Those were the most visible pleasantries exchanged all night.
Afterward, Trout guessed that Yelich’s fly ball would have hit the top of the fence and maybe gone over.
“It would have been close,” he said.
Cahill has only pitched three games in an Angels uniform, yet he already knew what to expect when the ball left Yelich’s bat.
“I was kind of worried when (Trout) started going back,” Cahill said. “Then I was like, ‘eh, he’ll probably jump and catch it.’ He didn’t homer today. He had to rob a home run. That counts.
“He’s just the best player in the game,” Cahill continued. “Everything he does, at some point you just stop being impressed. That’s just him.”
Cahill has tossed six innings in each of his first three starts of 2019. In his home debut, the veteran right-hander avoided any long innings, throwing just 90 pitches while walking one batter and striking out eight. Mike Moustakas went 2 for 3 with a home run; the rest of the Brewers combined for three hits, all singles, in 19 at-bats against Cahill.
Hansel Robles, Ty Buttrey and Cody Allen each pitched a scoreless inning of relief. The Brewers managed just one baserunner against the Angels’ bullpen. The save was Allen’s second.
The game held its tension for eight innings before the announced crowd of 28,571 at Angel Stadium. Bour alleviated the stress by uncorking his first home run as an Angel, a two-run moonshot to left field against Chase Anderson. Bour is still carrying a .125 batting average, but Angels manager Brad Ausmus felt encouraged by some of Bour’s recent plate appearances.
“I don’t want to say I felt a home run coming, but I felt like I’ve been putting good wood on the ball,” Bour said.
The Brewers (8-3) broke a scoreless tie with a run in the second inning. They nearly scored more.
Moustakas pounded a fly ball off the right-field wall, but tripped on the dirt rounding first base and settled for a single. Cahill walked the next batter, Yasmani Grandal, on four pitches. Orlando Arcia dropped a single in front of left fielder Brian Goodwin, and Goodwin missed his cutoff man by several arms’ lengths. Moustakas scored easily, and a faster runner than Grandal might have scored behind him.
The inning ended when the next batter, Lorenzo Cain, hit a ground ball up the middle of the diamond. Simmons fielded the ball behind second base and rifled a fast off-balance throw to retire the fleet-footed Cain.
The Angels went ahead with two runs in the second inning. They should have scored more.
With runners on first and second and nobody out, Brewers right fielder Christian Yelich extended himself horizontally to catch a Jonathan Lucroy fly ball in the gap. Albert Pujols, running from second base, misjudged the play. He left for third base without tagging up, before Yelich caught the ball, and was thrown out on the back end of a rare 9-6 double play.
The next batter, La Stella, saw two fastballs over the plate from Chacin. He hit the second one just above the yellow home run line in right-center field. The Angels led 2-1.
Milwaukee got the run back in the fourth inning when Moustakas ended a seven-pitch at-bat by pulling an outside pitch over the center-field fence, his third home run of the season.
MIKE TROUT ROBBED CHRISTIAN YELICH
@Andrelton pic.twitter.com/ut1uTL5M4S
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