Angels' Ninth-Inning Heroics
Neto's ninth-inning two-run homer and Guzman's tying shot lift Angels past A's 9-7.
The Los Angeles Angels erased a three-run deficit in the final two innings to beat the Oakland Athletics 9-7 on Sunday at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Shortstop Zach Neto hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the ninth inning, and rookie Denzer Guzman tied the game with a three-run blast in the eighth, Associated Press reported.
The win let the Angels split the four-game series after being shut out on Saturday. It also highlighted a painful collapse for the Athletics, whose bullpen could not hold a 7-4 lead in the final two frames.
Guzman and Neto Power Late-Inning Comeback
The Athletics led 7-4 heading into the eighth inning. Then Denzer Guzman, called up just six days ago, crushed a three-run home run to center field off reliever Hogan Harris to tie the game at 7-7, according to Associated Press.
In the ninth, Jose Siri singled with one out. Neto then drove a two-run shot over the left-field wall off Elvis Alvarado, giving the Angels their first lead of the game at 9-7. Sam Bachman then retired the side in order to earn his first save of the season, Field Level Media noted.
A's Strike Fast, Then Watch the Lead Vanish
Oakland started strong. In the first inning, the Athletics scored four runs off Angels starter Reid Detmers. Joey Meneses, making his A's debut, drove in a run with a single. Henry Bolte added another RBI hit, and the A's led 4-0 before the Angels batted in the second, according to Associated Press.
The Angels cut it to 4-3 in the second when Donovan Walton hit a three-run home run off A's starter Jack Perkins. Oakland pushed the lead back to 7-4 in the seventh when Nick Kurtz hit a 437-foot, two-run home run off reliever Brent Suter — his 19th of the season.
Kurtz Sets Franchise Record, Gelof Extends Hit Streak
Despite the loss, the Athletics had historic individual performances. Kurtz's home run was his 55th career blast, tying Bob Johnson for the most home runs by an Athletics player through his first two seasons in franchise history, Associated Press reported.
Second baseman Zack Gelof also extended his hitting streak to 24 games — the second-longest in franchise history since 1961. Both milestones were overshadowed by the bullpen's failure to hold a three-run lead in the final two innings.
Guzman's Arrival Signals a New Era for Angels
Guzman's game-tying blast was his second home run in as many days. The 23-year-old third baseman has now homered in three of his first six big-league games. He was promoted after batting .382 in Triple-A Salt Lake in May, earning Pacific Coast League Player of the Month honors, according to Associated Press.
His call-up came after veteran Yoan Moncada went down with a knee injury. With Guzman this hot, Angels GM Perry Minasian faces a welcome problem when Moncada returns. The Angels next travel to Baltimore, while the Athletics host the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.
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