Angels’ victory over Mariners fueled by rookie Zach Neto’s electrifying performance

Los Angeles Angels #9 Zach Neto hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning. Photo by Scott Kurtz/TGSportstv1.

ANAHEIM CA -The entire Angels roster started hot, which removed the heavy loads of pressure usually placed on Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. Seven of nine Angels recorded a hit through the third inning, which turned into six runs. Rookie Zach Neto scored three runs and stood out the entire game. His performance helped the Angels transcend the Mariners in a 9-4 victory, pushing the Halos to 36-31.

"When we play our best and we play clean games and we swing the best we're capable of, we can beat anybody," Angels manager Phil Nevin said.

Fans were electric when Griffin Canning picked off Ty France at first base to get the Angels' third out in the top of the first inning. Taylor Ward was at the top of the Angels' batting order and hit a homer over left field to open the bottom of the first inning. Brandon Drury then hit a double, and Matt Thais hit a double of his own, allowing Drury to score.

The Angels led 2-0 to end the first inning was exactly what fans needed to continue their excitement. The two runs in the first inning ended a nine-game slump in which the Angels failed to score in the first inning. Neto hit a solo shot to give the Angels a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning.

Thaiss hit a double in the bottom of the third inning, allowing baserunners Ohtani and Trout to score. Hunter Renfroe then ran Thaiss in on a double, giving the Angels a 6-0 lead.

After giving up zero runs through three innings, Canning fell apart. He gave up a two-run home run to Teoscar Hernández and made the score 6-2 in the top of the fourth inning.

Ohtani loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth inning with a single. Fans were on the edge of their seats when Mike Trout walked up to bat with zero outs. A sacrifice fly allowed Neto to score his second run of the day and gave the Angels a 7-2 lead. However, Drury and Thaiss both struck out swinging, leaving two men on base and a disappointed look on many faces after the bottom of the fourth inning ended.

Team morale worsened when Mike Ford hit Canning's pitch deep over right field, narrowing the Angels' lead to 7-3 in the top of the fifth inning.

Angels manager Phil Nevin gave Canning another shot in the top of the sixth inning. His decision backfired, as Canning gave up a single and subsequent fielder's choice resulting in zero outs because of a pitching error.

Nevin pulled Canning and was replaced by Chris Devenski. France scored on a sacrifice fly, changing the Angels' lead to 7-4 in the top of the sixth inning. Ford was hit by the pitch, which loaded the bases. But Devenski dialed in and gave up zero additional runs.

The Angels then proceeded to load the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning with one out, but a lineout and ground out stranded all three men on base.

After giving up runs in each of the last three innings, the Halos needed to pitch a scoreless inning to protect their lead. Julio Rodríguez grounded into a double play, and José Soriano struck out Teoscar Hernández to end the top of the seventh inning.

The Angels were up 7-3 while batting in the bottom of the seventh inning, but three consecutive outs meant the Mariners were up to bat again. The Mariners were in desperate need of runs in the top of the eighth inning but failed to reach base.

Neto hit his second homer and scored his third run of the day to give the Angels an 8-4 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Drury then hit a single, allowing Ward to score for the second time today. The Angels left the eighth inning with a 9-4 lead, which was the final score.

Neto's performance removed excessive pressure from Ohtani and Trout. He batted 2-for-4 (.500), both of which were homers, and scored three total runs. The 13th overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft has scored six runs during his last 18 plate appearances.

"He does something for us to win a game every day. Whether it's with the glove, or bases running. Today, hitting a couple of home runs was huge," Nevin said of Neto.

The victory caps a six-game homestand, in which the Angels went 5-1 against the Cubs and Mariners.

"We finished with a win in Houston and brought it back home," Nevin said. "Very nice week at home versus a good baseball team."

The Angels will leave Anaheim for a seven-game road trip against the Rangers and Royals.