Trout hits first home run of 2016 to lift Angels past A's

OAKLAND, Calif. - OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout hit his first home run of the season, Nick Tropeano pitched five scoreless innings in his season debut and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland Athletics and ace Sonny Gray 4-1 on Monday night.

Daniel Nava and C.J. Cron added RBI singles to help the Angels win their second straight following a 1-4 start.

Trout struck out looking twice but homered on the first pitch he saw from Gray in the sixth, a towering two-run shot that ricocheted off the right side of the bleachers just below the luxury suites in left-center field.

Gray (1-1) was sharp in his second outing but lost for just the second time in 12 April starts. He allowed three runs over 6 1/3 innings, struck out six and walked three.

Tropeano (1-0) was just a little better.

Called up from Triple-A Salt Lake City last week after the Angels placed Andrew Heaney on the disabled list, Tropeano gave up six hits in five-plus innings. He struck out six, walked two and pitched out of two-on, two-out jams three times while stopping the A's three-game winning streak.

Huston Street retired one batter for his second save.

Marcus Semien singled in Oakland's lone run in the ninth.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Angels: Trout's home run his 17th against the A's. ... Albert Pujols made his 2016 debut at first base after being the designated hitter in Los Angeles' first six games. He also got his first stolen base of the season. ... Manager Mike Scioscia is encouraged by the progress of pitcher Tyler Skaggs, though it could be some time before the left-hander is back in the majors. Skaggs gave up one run over three innings of a minor league start Sunday. He had Tommy John surgery in 2014. ... LHP Greg Mahle was recalled from Salt Lake City. RHP A.J. Achter was optioned down to make room.

Athletics: Coco Crisp made his third consecutive start in center but is likely to rest Tuesday. Crisp played in only 44 games in 2015 due to neck issues. ... Chris Coghlan was Oakland's DH, his fifth straight start at a different position. Coghlan started at second base, right field, left field and third base in his previous four games. ... LHP Felix Doubront will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Angels: LHP Hector Santiago (0-0) faces the A's in the second game of the series Tuesday night. Santiago has a 3.14 ERA in 11 games against Oakland.

Athletics: RHP Kendall Graveman (0-1) pitches against Los Angeles hoping to end a six-game losing streak — longest by an Oakland pitcher since 2012.