Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton returned to the lineup on Tuesday after missing almost two months with a torn ligament in his thumb and homered in the eighth inning.
MLB roundup: Josh Hamilton homers in return, Carlos Gonzalez exits early
The Angels got one star outfielder back but lost another on Tuesday. Elsewhere, Colorado’s own star outfielder can’t get over the nagging injury hump.
Scott Halleran
Hamilton, who also suffered a mild setback while rehabbing the injury in Triple-A, went 1-for-3 with a walk and the deep fly in Los Angeles' loss to the Astros. The 33-year-old enjoyed a nice first week of the season before suffering the injury, collecting 12 hits in 27 at-bats while hitting a pair of home runs and drawing six free passes.
Hamilton’s return to action coincided with Mike Trout’s first appearance in the lineup since Friday. Unfortunately for the Halos, Trout exited the game after an inning and a half with what the team called “mid back discomfort.”
Trout wasn't the only star outfielder to leave a game early due to injury on Tuesday. Rockies slugger Carlos Gonzalez was removed in the sixth inning of the team's loss to the Diamondbacks with left index finger inflammation, per the Rockies' official Twitter account. While Gonzalez is listed as day-to-day, the finger issue has been a recurring one for him. He's also been hampered by a knee injury at various points this season and entered the day hitting just .258/.310/.454.
Alvarez tosses 88-pitch complete game
Henderson Alvarez hurled his second complete-game shutout of the season in the Marlins' 1-0 win over the Rays. His Maddux game is clearly on point:
There have been 2 complete game shutouts of 90 or fewer pitches this season. Henderson Alvarez 88 - June 3 Henderson Alvarez 90 - April 19
— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) June 4, 2014 Alvarez has two of the four complete-game shutouts this year in which fewer than 100 pitches were thrown.
Wong’s first big league home run comes in grand fashion
Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong went 198 plate appearances without a home run but finally came through in a grand way against Royals starter James Shields on Tuesday:
Shields allowed seven runs -- five earned -- and surrendered four walks, but the Royals used a six-run fifth inning and tacked on a couple more late to rally for an 8-7 win.
Tuesday scores
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