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Angels eliminated from playoffs despite victory over Mariners

Oct 2, 2012 - 7:22 AM Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Mike Trout went 4-for-5 with three RBI and finished a home run shy of the cycle as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim toppled the Seattle Mariners, 8-4, in the opener of the season-ending three- game series at Safeco Field.

Trout added two runs scored, Howie Kendrick had four hits and a pair of RBI, and Torii Hunter, Albert Pujols and Mark Trumbo all knocked in runs for the Angels, who were eliminated from wild card contention after the Oakland A's topped the Texas Rangers on Monday.

"We played our butts off and did what we had to do, we fought and still couldn't get in there, we had other teams playing better. It's a disappointing season for fans, for players, coaching staff, everybody. What we're going to do is regroup and come back next year ready to go and hopefully I'm a part of it," Hunter said.

C.J. Wilson (13-10) allowed three runs -- two earned -- on six hits with seven strikeouts and five walks to snap a three-start winless run.

Casper Wells had two hits, including a solo home run, while Justin Smoak and Trayvon Robinson added RBI apiece for the Mariners, who have lost seven of their last eight games.

Felix Hernandez (13-9) concluded his season on a sour note, matching a season- high with seven runs allowed on 12 hits and three walks with seven strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. The former Cy Young winner has not won since Aug. 27.

"Another fantastic year by Felix," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said.

The Angels jumped on top with three runs in the first inning. Trout led off the game with a double and came around to score on a two-bagger by Pujols. After Alberto Callaspo walked two batters later, Trumbo ripped an RBI single up the middle. Kendrick then capped the inning with a run-scoring single into left field.

The Mariners got a run back in the home first when Wells blasted a solo shot over the wall in left field.

Maicer Izturis ripped a one-out single in the Los Angeles fourth and Chris Iannetta followed with a walk before Trout poked a single back up the middle. plating Izturis for a 4-1 lead.

The Angels added three more runs in the sixth inning. Kendrick singled to start things and Izturis followed with a base hit. Trout then drove one into the left-center field gap for a two-run triple and Hunter knocked a ground ball through a drawn-in infield to score Trout for a six-run cushion.

The M's got three runs back in the seventh to cut the deficit to 7-4. Wells began the inning with a ground-rule double over the wall in left-center field and Jesus Montero singled two batters later.

Garrett Richards replaced Wilson and allowed an RBI double to Justin Smoak. After Michael Saunders flied out, Miguel Olivo reached base on an error by Kendrick, which allowed Montero to cross the plate and Robinson followed by poking a run-scoring single into left field.

An RBI double into the right-field corner by Kendrick in the ninth capped the scoring.

Game Notes

Los Angeles missed the postseason for the third consecutive season ... Hunter left the game in the seventh inning due to light-headedness ... The Angels are 8-1 in their last nine games in Seattle and are 75-37 against the M's since the 2007 season ... Seattle went 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left 11 on base.