The Baltimore Orioles were coming off of a series with the Detroit Tigers, were they went 2-2. They would take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, where they would look to climb the Wild Card standings. Dylan Bundy was the pitcher for Baltimore.

ANAHEIM, Ca. — Baltimore saw a well-pitched game from Bundy. On Monday night, Bundy went seven innings and struck out 10 batters, a career-high. Bundy allowed five hits and walked none, putting the Orioles in the prime position to win. Manny Machado also hit a grand slam to pull Baltimore ahead 6-2.

For the Angels, Mike Trout celebrated his 26th birthday on Monday and had a big night. He recorded his 1,000th career hit in the fourth inning. He also homered in the sixth inning off of the left field foul pole, which tied the game at 2-2. Only by Machado’s grand slam in the seventh inning off of JC Ramirez, Baltimore was able to win 6-2.

“You obviously want to hear your name with the greats and the Hall of Famers when you do something,” said Trout after his big night in Anaheim. “It makes you feel good. It makes you feel special to be a part of such good company. For me, it’s just going out there and playing. I’m not trying to chase any numbers. We’re trying to get to the playoffs, and that’s the main goal.”

Baltimore (56-56) is now .500 for the first time since June 29. The Orioles are just only 1.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays and the Kansas City Royals for the second American League Wild Card spot.

“When was the last time a below .500 team was in the playoffs?” said Orioles manager Buck Showalter after the game. “You just know that you got to play better and you got to win on the road. Those are two good things that happened tonight.”

Baltimore now sits at fourth place in the AL East behind the Rays (1.5 games back), the New York Yankees (4.0 games back) and the division-leading Boston Red Sox (7.0 games back). The Orioles will look ahead to Tuesday night’s matchup, where they could continue to build their lead in the Wild Card race on the Angels (55-58).

Jeremy Hellickson (7-5, 4.45 ERA) will make his second start for Baltimore. Hellickson will face the former Oriole, Parker Bridwell (5-1, 3.20 ERA).

(Photo Credit: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Kyle Andrews

Born in Norfolk, VA, raised in the Baltimore area and currently living there. Originally pursuing a degree in exercise science at McDaniel, Andrews became interested in sports writing. He was the sports editor of McDaniel's newspaper in 2014 and became an English major, and hasn't looked back since.

Bylines at Fox Sports 1340 AM, Bullets Forever, Baltimore Beatdown, Underdog Dynasty and many other sites.