Anaheim, California-Zach Neto had never seen a triple game personally before he let it happen in the sixth inning of the 7-6 victory of the Angels on the Dodgers on Tuesday evening.
With ideal positioning and flexible technology, Neto received two putouts and an assist after Dodgers Slugger Shohei Ohtani, a line ride hit him directly behind him. Neto caught it and doubled both Dodgers -Baserunners and completed the eighth triple game in the history of Angels in a flash.
The meaning of the performance – and especially because of the former teammate who touched the ball on him – is not lost on the angels Shortstop.
“I told my boys, I think that was more exciting than to hit two home runs yesterday,” said Neto, who indeed homely twice while the Halo’s defeated the Dodgers on Monday.
“To be honest, I think it’s quite cool,” he added. “I like to go home, but making such a play in a situation where you have one of the best batters to batten with the first and second, no outs, and to be able to make such a play, it was quite special.”
Miguel Rojas was in second place and Dalton Rushing was first when Ohtani hit a ride in the middle of the Reliever Brock Burke.
Neto caught the lining and got into the bag to get Rojas, who had no chance.
Neto quickly threw the first, where Nolan Shanuel smokes bad luck, while the Dodgers trookie tried to sneak back after having gone too far.
“I caught the ball, stepped in second place and while I first wanted to go first, I still saw the man a little surprised, so I threw the ball there in the hope that Nolan could make a play, and he did,” Neto said. “I actually told Nolan that if he confused it – because that was the first (triple game) ever in my life – if he confused it, we would have some words.”
Neto joked about threatening his teammate and friend, but he was serious to never see a triple game personally before.
“I only saw it on YouTube and on Tiktok and everything,” he said.
Neto’s Brilliance and Schanuel’s Adroit tag held the score 5-5.
Rushing stepped awkward on first base and fell hard on the dirt after trying to avoid the tag. The Rookie Catcher remained a long moment, but remained in the game.
“I hit my head a bit,” said Rushing. “It was more frustration of the situation than whatever. But I’m ready to go.”
The triple game of the Angels was only the second of the club since 1997. They also did it on August 18, 2023, against Tampa Bay in a match with also the MLB debut from Shanuel.
The triple game was also a new theatrical blow in a difficult summer trail for the Dodgers, which have been caught in a 12-20 malaise since July 4 with an under-performing line-up and an injury-through-the-ended bullpen.
This third consecutive loss dropped the Dodgers (68-52) in first place with the San Diego Padres on top of the NL West, so that a bleak mood was brought to the clubhouse of the visitors.
“I thought Miggy did well,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “It is just one of those things that it was exactly at Neto and where he was, on second base. But Dalton has to come back. The ball stands for him and sounds to second base, that is something that cannot happen.”
Ohtani and the Dodgers did not give up after the triple game: the triple MVP hit a tieking Homer, his 43rd of the season, when he came to the ninth.
But the angels would not stop. In the ninth they tied it on Schanuel’s Offerfly and won it on the high-chopping single by Jo Adell in the 10th.
The Sub.500 Angels have unlikely dominated the Freeway series this season and won all five meetings with the defensive World Series champions.
A seasonal whip will not be easy: Ohtani will throw before the deadgers and Neto knows what to expect.
“Especially because he then hits a homer, I certainly (checked) him, but that’s ok,” Neto said with a grin. “I have to face him on the hill tomorrow, so enjoy it for a few more hours and then come tomorrow to go.”
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