The Los Angeles Angels received three home runs, including two from rookie shortstop Zach Neto, to defeat the Seattle Mariners, 9-4, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Angel Stadium.
Neto’s first blast came with two outs in the bottom of the second and extended the Angels’ lead to 3-0. He later led off the bottom of the eighth with his second home run of the game that punctuated the victory.
It marked the first career multi-home run game for Neto. He finished his day with the two hits in four at-bats and scored three runs.
Angels manager Phil Nevin has been impressed with Neto and believes he will hit for more power as his career progresses, per J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
“We all know there’s more power there that I think is going to come later in his career,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said of Neto. “He’ll keep getting better in that. He does something for us to win a game every day, whether it’s with the glove, on the bases running, today hitting a couple home runs. (They) were huge.”
Mike Trout echoed that sentiment and has enjoyed watching Neto get better each day:
“It’s fun to watch,” Trout said of Neto. “He comes in with the right attitude. Works hard. Wants to learn. It’s fun to see. … He picks my brain. I’m here for him, and I love what I’m seeing.”
The Angels, winners of six of their last seven games, improved to 36-31 after Sunday’s victory. Neto credited his teammates for the club’s recent hot streak:
“We’re doing the right things,” Neto said. “We’re bringing (runners) in when we need to, situational hitting, things like that. Pitchers are pitching amazing. Bullpen’s holding its own. Our defense is holding its own too. We’re playing all-around good baseball, and that’s going to win you a lot of ball games.”
Neto was called up to the Angels during the middle of April and he has gone on to carve out an important role with the team. In 52 games, the 22-year-old is batting .253/.337/.404 with 10 doubles, five home runs and 20 RBI across 190 plate appearances.
Angels make series of roster moves
The Angels made a series of roster moves prior to Sunday’s game against the Mariners, most notably placing Ben Joyce on the 15-day injured list due to ulnar neuritis.
He was replaced on the roster by Gerardo Reyes while Max Stassi was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster. The Angels also activated Hunter Renfroe off the paternity list and optioned Jo Adell to Triple-A Salt Lake.
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