Angels surge past Indians, 6-3

KEY MOMENT: The revival of Albert Pujols made this “pick your poison” moment possible. With the score tied, 3-3, and one out in the eighth inning, J.B. Shuck was on second base, with first base open and Mike Trout at bat. Last year, with Pujols hampered by injury, the Indians might have walked Trout and hoped Pujols would ground into a double play. This year, the Indians pitched to Trout, who singled home Shuck with the game-winning run.

BOX SCORE: Angels 6, Indians 3

AT THE PLATE: Raul Ibanez tripled and singled, for his first multihit game since April 1. He is batting .171. David Freese had two singles, for his first multihit game since April 15. He is batting .176. The Angels also got extra-base hits from Trout (a triple) and Erick Aybar (a two-run double).

ON THE MOUND: Tyler Skaggs got no decision but pitched seven innings, for the fourth time in his five starts. Skaggs gave up three runs, all on a home run by Carlos Santana, with one walk and six strikeouts. Joe Smith, in his first save opportunity since replacing Ernesto Frieri at closer, worked a scoreless ninth for the save.

ON THE LINEUP: The Angels used Aybar as the leadoff hitter on Monday; he has batted everywhere but second, third and fourth this season. Shuck, who was dropped to ninth, is hitless in his last 18 at-bats and is hitting .147 overall.

ON THE MEND: Josh Hamilton had the cast removed from his left thumb, 17 days after surgery to repair a torn ligament. He is a little ahead of schedule in his recovery, and the Angels hope he can return in about three weeks.

ON 500: As Pujols played his first home game since hitting his 500th homer, the Angels sold commemorative baseballs for $39.99 each. They also said that, for now, they would continue to update the Pujols home run counter above the bleachers. Manager Mike Scioscia said he hoped that the 500 milestone would not be diminished by “some of the guys that have reached it by questionable means,” a reference to the steroid era. “It’s stupid to call it a milestone. … I think it’s more than a milestone. It’s the description of what a Hall of Fame player is.”

BIRTHDAY BOYS: The oldest man in the Angels bullpen turned 33 on Monday. He is Yoslan Herrera, and this was the first year he celebrated his birthday in a major league uniform. Freese turned 31 on Monday.

UP NEXT: Jered Weaver (1-2, 4.11 ERA) faces the Indians’ Corey Kluber (2-2, 3.90) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Angel Stadium. TV: Fox Sports West. Radio: 830, 1330.

bill.shaikin@latimes.com