ANAHEIM -- Shortstop Zach Neto has emerged as one of the most important players in the organization for the Angels and was rewarded with his first-ever bobblehead night on Friday.
It was obviously an exciting day for Neto, but he was bummed his mother, Maggie, couldn’t make it out from their native Miami to see it all in person. Neto, though, did his best to make up for it, making a pivotal defensive play in the 10th inning before connecting on his first career walk-off hit in the bottom of the inning to lift the Angels to a 3-2 win over the Mariners on Friday night at Angel Stadium.
Neto said his big night brought out some emotion, especially from his mom, who immediately texted him after the game.
“It was pretty special,” Neto said. “My mom had called me this morning, and it sucked she couldn't come out because she wanted to come out here to watch. But seeing my messages, she was the first person saying that she can't stop crying. I think it's pretty cool. But yeah, bobblehead night and my first walk-off hit, I think it's pretty special.”
It was also a much-needed win for the Angels with the Trade Deadline looming on Thursday. They still appear likely to be sellers after ending their four-game losing streak, but that could change if they continue to win with two more games left against Seattle and a three-game set against the Rangers that begins Monday. The Angels (50-54) are now five games behind the Mariners (55-49) and 4 1/2 games behind the Red Sox for the final AL Wild Card spot.
“Getting off a losing streak, I think it's the hardest part,” Neto said. “Just seeing how we've been battling these past couple days and it wasn’t going our way. It's just the game of baseball. But the baseball gods were on our side today. And just being able to come through like that and get the win, we’ll come in tomorrow and hopefully do the same thing.”
Neto’s game-winner was the first run scored by the Angels since the first inning, when Jo Adell connected on a two-run double off right-hander Bryan Woo. The offense was otherwise quiet, as the Angels didn’t put a runner in scoring position between Logan O’Hoppe’s leadoff double in the second inning and the automatic runner at second in the 10th.
But Neto came through when it mattered most, as his two-out RBI single just got past a diving Cole Young at second base to score LaMonte Wade Jr. from second to win the game. Angels fans chanted his name after the victory as he stood at first base with his arms raised in celebration.
“Bobblehead nights bring good omens,” said interim manager Ray Montgomery. “If you ask Z, any time you can celebrate him, it’s a good day. I’m sure he’s excited about it. That was good. That was fun and I’m glad he got the opportunity to do it.”
The pitching kept the Angels in the game, as right-hander José Soriano allowed two runs over six innings with both runs coming on solo homers from Julio Rodríguez. The bullpen did the rest with Brock Burke, Reid Detmers, Kenley Jansen and Ryan Zeferjahn each throwing scoreless innings, including Zeferjahn retiring the top three hitters of Seattle’s order with two on in the 10th.
Neto was a big part of that, too. With runners on first and second, J.P. Crawford bunted over third baseman Kevin Newman’s head but Neto got to the ball in time to flip it with his glove to Zeferjahn at third for a critical first out.
“I think that changed the whole inning,” Zeferjahn said. “That was not an easy play, coming in full speed, trying to flip it without flipping it over me. So that's an unbelievable play by him and I think it won us the game right there.”
Neto said it was fitting his bobblehead was of him making a diving defensive play, although he joked it looked too much like his headfirst slides into second base that have caused his right shoulder problems.
“I think that's the last time you might see me sliding headfirst,” Neto said. “But I think it came out great. I like it a lot. It's very cool.”
Soriano said it was fun to see Neto deliver on his bobblehead night and that more should be in order for the burgeoning Angels star.
“It was incredible, amazing,” Soriano said through interpreter Manny Del Campo. “He deserves another bobblehead now because of the walk-off.”