Late Zach Neto homer lifts Angels to win over Mets

ANAHEIM, Calif.— A few days ago, Zach Neto went into manager Ron Washington's office and asked to bat in the No. 2 spot in the lineup.

The 23-year old shortstop made the most of his opportunity in that spot and hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the seventh inning to lead the Angels to a 5-4 win over the New York Mets Saturday.

"It was a good feeling, battling my tail off up there and finally being able to get a good pitch, drive it and be a big time hero for us," Neto said. "I told him, 'I think I've earned batting up there. Maybe have a couple extra more at bats,' and I was able to come through today for him."

"He showed that he can come up clutch," Washington said of Neto. "It's very rewarding but it takes more than one game. He's going to be a tremendous baseball player."

The home run bailed out an Angels bullpen that squandered an excellent start from Jose Soriano. 

With a 2-0 lead in the seventh inning, Hans Crouse allowed two baserunners to reach and got just one out. Hunter Strickland entered the game, allowed a walk and a grand slam by Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez to give the Mets a 4-2 lead.

The grand slam was the tenth in Martinez's career and his second of the season. Martinez has 15 career home runs against the Angels and seven at Angel Stadium.

After the Angels took the lead in the seventh, Washington turned to Ben Joyce to make a four-out save. It was the first save opportunity of Joyce's career. 

Joyce got Tyrone Taylor to ground out to end the eighth inning. He retired the side in order in the ninth and struck out Martinez for the final out on a 104.7 mile per hour fastball.

"When I was out there, I felt pretty calm but it was a different level of adrenaline for sure," Joyce said. "It's a different level of adrenaline and focus."

Joyce has thrown 22.2 scoreless innings in 18 straight outings.

"Joyce is going to be something special," Washington said. "For me, every time you tell him something that educates him, he finds a way to use it." 

Soriano had an outstanding start for the Angels on the mound. He completed six shutout innings for the first time since May 3 and was in line for a win. The Angels have won the game in each of Soriano's last four starts.

Washington was encouraged by seeing members of the Angels' young core lead the team to a win. 

"It gives you encouragement because they are the guys that are going to be mainstays in our drive forward," Washington said. 

Kevin Pillar made one of the best catches in the league this season in the first inning and followed the play with a RBI single to give the Angels a 1-o lead. 

In the fifth inning, Matt Thaiss fended off an inside pitch that he hit the opposite way for a double. Neto drove him in with a single to give the Angels a 2-0 lead.

The Angels are 48-63 on the season and  have 29 come-from-behind wins. Griffin Canning will pitch the final game of the homestand for the Angels against former Angel Jose Quintana and the Mets.