Mike Trout puts his foot down about difficulties at bat, finishes a series well

Reporting from CHICAGO — Mike Trout made one out in the final two games of the Angels’ series against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, reaching base seven times in eight tries and proving to himself he has corrected his early-season timing issues.

The 24-year-old center fielder credited Angels hitting coaches Dave Hansen and Paul Sorrento for helping him get his front foot down before swinging, a problem since the season’s first week.

“We’re not necessarily trying to change my swing, just trying to stay more balanced,” Trout said. “Just get my foot down and take a nice easy approach up the middle.”

Trout is hitting .286 with a .397 on-base percentage and .446 slugging mark in 68 plate appearances this season.

Another ace looms

The Angels will face yet another of baseball’s best pitchers on Friday: Seattle right-hander Felix Hernandez.

In four previous matchups against aces, the Angels are 1-3, with a victory over Sonny Gray and losses to Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester and Cole Hamels.

“I don’t think we’re going to hang our hat on some tough matchups, because every game is tough,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “We are facing terrific pitching. But if we’re playing the way we can play and the way we need to play, we’ll have an opportunity to beat some good pitching. It just hasn’t shown up this year, with the exception of Sonny Gray.”

Angels rookie Nick Tropeano will face Hernandez.

Short hops

Left fielder Daniel Nava is not yet ready to return to baseball activities, Scioscia said. Saturday will mark a week that he has been on the disabled list. … Left-hander Tyler Skaggs will attempt to pitch five innings Monday for triple-A Salt Lake. He walked three over 3 2/3 innings Wednesday.

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