Cleveland sun aids Santana, wreaks havoc on Los Angeles outfielders
The outfielders representing a team from the state known for its sunshine ran into trouble with just that Sunday in Cleveland.
In the first inning, Los Angeles Angels All-Star outfielder Mike Trout was blinded by the sun on what appeared to be a routine fly ball to center field.
Fish out of water: http://t.co/FSsD82BCaJ pic.twitter.com/5Qy7Xu4A1y
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) August 30, 2015
The mishap earned Carlos Santana an RBI double, as Michael Brantley came home to push the Indians to an early 2-0 lead.
A few innings later, the sun was again on Santana's side. This time it was right fielder Kole Calhoun who lost Santana's fly ball.
Santana collects his second sun-assisted double of the afternoon. Calhoun lost track of the ball in RF this time. pic.twitter.com/zluksQZpvZ
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 30, 2015
Had Calhoun caught it, Giovanny Urshela's foul out to first would have been the inning's third out. Instead, Abraham Almonte got an opportunity to come the plate -- and made the most of it.
You like grand slams? Yeah, so does Abraham Almonte. WATCH >> http://t.co/6AkUDwlj5A pic.twitter.com/hbTh0yTuXE
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) August 30, 2015
After the game, Trout described his reaction to the outfield adventure.
#Angels CF Mike Trout was wearing shades: "Doesn't matter. When ball is right in sun, can't do anything about it. You feel helpless."
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) August 30, 2015
Trout and the Angels leave Cleveland reeling, swept by the Indians and 3 1/2 games out of the second Wild Card spot with a record of 65-65.
The Indians, on the other hand, are surging, winners of five straight and six of their last seven. They're five games behind the Texas Rangers for a playoff position.
