CINCINNATI -- Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Hector Santiago soaked in their All-Star experiences as members of a first-place team, a reality few could've ever imagined as recently as two weeks ago. The Angels won seven of nine in the road trip that marked the end of the celebratory first half, turning a five-game deficit behind the Astros into a half-game cushion in the American League West over a span of 10 days.
The Angels left for the road shortly after the sudden resignation of general manager Jerry Dipoto, then began the trip with their first matchup against Josh Hamilton, tuning out two seismic distractions just before playing their best baseball of the season.