Zach Neto drove in a run and scored another during a decisive third inning as the Los Angeles Angels held off the Texas Rangers 3-2 on Tuesday night.
The Angels scored all three of their runs in the third and made the lead stand. Ryan Johnson delivered a solid start before the bullpen shut down Texas late, helping Los Angeles end a three-game losing streak.
The result marked only the Angels’ fourth win in 14 games. Texas lost for the second time in seven games after scoring first on Joc Pederson’s leadoff home run.
Neto Leads Angels Response
Pederson gave Texas an immediate advantage against Johnson.
He drove Johnson’s third pitch of the game 416 feet to center field for his 21st home run of the season. It was Pederson’s seventh leadoff homer of the year and the 33rd of his career.
Johnson recovered quickly and prevented the Rangers from building on their early lead.
Los Angeles broke through against Cody Bradford in the third.
Wade Meckler started the rally with a single and came around to score when Neto followed with an RBI single. Neto then created another scoring opportunity with his speed.
He stole third and scored on Nolan Schanuel’s sacrifice fly, giving the Angels a 2-1 lead.
Mike Trout also reached during the inning, and Vaughn Grissom brought him home with a double. The hit extended the advantage to 3-1.
It was the only inning in which Los Angeles scored, but the three-run burst proved enough.
Johnson Keeps Rangers in Check
Johnson allowed the leadoff homer but settled into an effective rhythm afterward.
The right-hander held Texas to three hits while pitching into the fifth inning. He struck out five and kept the Rangers from producing another run during his outing.
José Fermin followed Johnson and recorded four outs. He eventually earned the win, improving to 4-2.
Texas threatened again in the sixth.
Brandon Nimmo singled and later scored when pinch-hitter Jarred Kelenic dropped a soft single into play. The hit reduced the Angels’ lead to 3-2.
It also marked Kelenic’s first RBI since May 15.
Kelenic had rejoined the Texas roster earlier Tuesday for his third stint with the club this season. The Rangers had designated him for assignment in June and released him in July before bringing him back.
His RBI single gave Texas a chance to complete a comeback, but the Angels’ bullpen allowed nothing else.
Angels Bullpen Closes the Door
The Rangers did not record another hit after Kelenic’s sixth-inning single.
Los Angeles protected the one-run margin through the final three innings and prevented Texas from turning its baserunners into runs. The Rangers finished the night with eight runners left on base.
Rookie Samy Natera handled the ninth inning and secured his third save.
The late pitching performance was especially important because the Angels had no additional offensive support after their third-inning rally.
Texas repeatedly stayed within striking distance, but Los Angeles avoided the costly late mistake that could have changed the game.
The Angels’ pitching staff held the Rangers to two runs despite Pederson’s immediate homer and several opportunities with runners aboard.
Bradford Goes Seven in Losing Effort
Bradford gave Texas length and kept the Angels quiet outside the third inning.
The left-hander allowed five hits across seven innings in only his second start since returning from elbow surgery. The injury had kept him out of major league action since 2024.
Bradford surrendered all three Los Angeles runs during the third. He prevented the Angels from adding to their lead over his remaining innings but received limited offensive support.
He took the loss and fell to 0-1.
The Rangers entered the game in good form after winning five of their previous six. They had opportunities to continue that run after pulling within one in the sixth, but their offense went hitless for the remainder of the game.
Pederson supplied the early power, while Kelenic delivered the only other Texas RBI.
Angels End Three-Game Slide
Los Angeles entered Tuesday with the worst record in the majors and had struggled to build momentum in recent weeks.
The Angels did enough in one productive inning to change the result.
Neto played the central role. His single tied the game, and his stolen base put him in position to score the go-ahead run on Schanuel’s sacrifice fly. Grissom then provided what became the winning run with his RBI double.
The win also came on a day of changes to the Angels’ coaching staff. Los Angeles dismissed pitching coach Mike Maddux and two of his assistants earlier Tuesday.
On the field, the pitching staff responded by limiting Texas to five hits and two runs.
Johnson steadied himself after Pederson’s opening swing, and the bullpen protected the lead without allowing a hit after the sixth inning.
Up Next
The four-game AL West series continues Wednesday night in Anaheim.
Angels right-hander George Klassen is scheduled to start with a 0-1 record and 7.27 ERA. Texas will counter with right-hander Cal Quantrill, who enters at 4-4 with a 3.56 ERA.