RADIO
Zach Neto Powers Angels to Victory With Two Homers
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto set the tone for the struggling Angels on Friday night in Anaheim in their 9-6 victory over the division-rival Texas Rangers. Neto went 2-for-4 at the plate out of the leadoff spot with two solo home runs and a hit-by-pitch to raise his season average to .221 and his OPS to .757. The 25-year-old got the offense going in the bottom of the first inning with a solo shot off veteran right-hander Jacob deGrom. He is hitting just .200 (15-for-75) in 20 games (89 plate appearances) since the beginning of May, but he has added five home runs, two doubles, a triple, nine RBI, 13 runs scored, and two stolen bases over that span as well. Since May 13, Neto has gone 8-for-33 (.242) with four long balls, a double, six RBI, and six runs scored for the Halos. Neto has a weak .213 xBA and a .327 xwOBA, and he's also in just the 38th percentile in hard-hit rate for the season. He's still well on pace for his third straight 20-homer season, but Neto needs to make better and more consistent contact -- he currently leads the league with 73 strikeouts in 239 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
