Zach Neto delivered the decisive swing in the ninth inning Sunday as the Los Angeles Angels rallied to beat the Athletics 9-7 in West Sacramento.
The Angels trailed most of the afternoon before Denzer Guzman tied the game with a three-run homer in the eighth. One inning later, Neto hit a two-run shot that gave Los Angeles its first lead and completed a late comeback.
The win helped the Angels take the series after they were shut out Saturday. Los Angeles received key production from the bottom half of its lineup, including Donovan Walton, who homered and drove in three runs.
Angels Rally Late
The Athletics carried a 7-4 lead into the eighth inning and appeared positioned to close out the game. Guzman changed that quickly.
With two runners aboard, the rookie drove a pitch from Hogan Harris over the wall for his second home run in as many days. The three-run shot tied the game at 7-7 and gave the Angels new life after a frustrating start.
Los Angeles carried that momentum into the ninth.
Jose Siri singled with one out, putting the go-ahead run on base for Neto. The Angels shortstop attacked an 0-1 fastball and sent it just beyond the left-field fence. The two-run homer put Los Angeles ahead 9-7 and turned a late deficit into a road win.
Walton Adds Key Production
Donovan Walton helped keep the Angels close before the late rally.
Walton homered and finished with three RBIs, giving Los Angeles steady production in a game where it needed every run. Nolan Schanuel and Siri each added two hits as the Angels responded well after being blanked the previous day.
The Angels also received strong relief work late. Chase Silseth struck out two in a scoreless eighth inning and earned the win. Sam Bachman retired the Athletics in order in the ninth for his first save of the season.
Athletics Get Big Days From Kurtz And Gelof
The Athletics built their lead behind contributions from several hitters.
Nick Kurtz hit his 19th home run of the season and continued adding to his impressive early-career power totals. His homer gave him 55 for his career, tying Bob Johnson for the most in franchise history through a player’s first two seasons.
Zack Gelof also stayed hot. He singled to open the game, doubled in the fourth, and reached on an error in the seventh before Kurtz homered. Gelof extended his hitting streak to 24 games, tying the second-longest streak in Athletics franchise history since 1961.
Joey Meneses also made an immediate impact in his Athletics debut, driving in a run with a single after being called up from the minors before the game.
Detmers Battles Through Six Innings
Angels starter Reid Detmers had an uneven outing.
The left-hander allowed five runs and walked four across six innings. He kept Los Angeles close enough to rally, but the Athletics continued to apply pressure and forced the Angels to play from behind.
Athletics starter Jack Perkins struck out eight over five innings and allowed four runs. Oakland’s bullpen could not protect the late lead after Guzman and Neto delivered the two biggest swings of the game.
Up Next
The Angels return home Monday to open a series against the Baltimore Orioles. Left-hander Sam Aldegheri is scheduled to start for Los Angeles.
The Athletics will face the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, with right-hander Aaron Civale expected to take the mound.
