Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros

The Angels’ offense has struggled throughout the year, but since the All-Star break in particular, the Halos have scored three or fewer runs in 20 out of 30 games. The bats woke up Thursday night. Zach Neto had a career-high five hits and a career-high seven RBIs as the Angels’ offense exploded in an 18-3 rout of the Astros at Daikin Park to secure the Halos’ first road series win in nearly three months. The Angels’ four through nine hitters combined to go 15-for-31 with 10 runs scored and 15 RBIs as the Halos scored a season high for runs in taking their first road series since May 26-28 at Detroit. “It was nice,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “I think it was just quality at-bat after quality at-bat. Guys weren’t trying to do too much, and they still hit the ball out of the park. It was definitely good for everybody’s confidence. They’ve been working hard. Hitting guys have been working with them hard. It was nice to put it all together.” Neto had RBI singles in the first and fourth before blasting a three-run homer to left-center in the fifth and a two-run double in the seventh. “I think it was just the quality, using the middle of the field,” Suzuki said. “They’ve been working hard with him on a lot of different things. It’s nice to get the results when you’ve been putting in the work.” Neto tied the Angels’ single-game record for most RBIs in a game played at shortstop set by Freddie Patek, who had seven RBIs on June 20, 1980, at Boston. “It’s what happens when you’re seeing strikes and hitting them and not missing them,” Neto said. “It’s been a point of emphasis for me – ending at-bats when they need to be ended.” After the Astros scored twice in the first on an error and wild pitch, the Angels tied it in the second on a Vaughn Grissom RBI single, and he scored on a Tyler Heineman sacrifice bunt. Josh Lowe capped the inning, scoring on Adam Frazier’s RBI fielder’s choice to first as Lowe was able to avoid Christian Vázquez’s tag off LaMonte Wade Jr.’s throw to the plate. “Just good situational hitting all around,” Neto said. “It was a great day for us at the plate. We’re just going to keep going, hopefully.”