Watch Out for This Underappreciated Rookie for the San Diego Padres in…
Zach Neto had a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh inning, and the Los Angeles Angels won their first home series of the season with a 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.
Luis Rengifo drove in an early run for the Angels, who will win a series for the first time in 10 tries after their first back-to-back home victories since early September. Los Angeles improved the majors’ worst home record to 9-21 after holding San Diego to three runs in 18 innings.
“It’s big-time,” Neto said. “These fans deserve it. We deserve it, so we’ve just got to keep playing the baseball we know how to play.”
Adam Mazur pitched six innings of one-run ball in a strong major league debut for the Padres, who have lost three straight for only the second time since April. Manny Machado had an early run-scoring single, but San Diego’s powerhouse lineup struggled against the Angels.
After managing just two hits against Mazur, the Angels broke through with three runs in the seventh against San Diego’s bullpen.
Los Angeles loaded the bases on two walks and an infield single off Yuki Matsui (3-2), and Neto drilled a bases-loaded double over the head of Jurickson Profar in left off Enyel De Los Santos. Mickey Moniak scored moments later on a wild pitch.
