Trout doesn't expect to change approach on bases

ANAHEIM -- Just one more reason why the Angels' cleanup spot in Josh Hamilton's absence remains under pressure: Mike Trout's running game.

Trout swiped his first base of the season in the 11^th inning against Oakland on Wednesday … only to have A's closer Jim Johnson intentionally walk No. 3 hitter Albert Pujols. Raul Ibanez and then Howie Kendrick followed with ground-ball outs.

It is easy to envision opponents delivering intentional walks to Pujols regularly if Trout runs too often, especially if whoever is hitting cleanup isn't hitting.

But Trout says he's going to simply play his game.

"Every opportunity I get, if I can steal a base, I have to steal a base," Trout said. "I know the majority of the time they're going to walk Albert. But the guy behind Albert is going to step up.

"There are going to be some opportunities, I think, where if a guy is giving me second base, I'm going to take it. For sure."

Besides, as Trout said, if he opts not to steal and then Pujols follows by not getting a hit, he's stuck at first base, and that's not a great scenario, either.