Zach Neto and the Angels win series finale against the Rangers

Zach Neto had three hits, including a two-run homer, as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Texas Rangers 7-2 on Wednesday to advance to the finale of a three-game series in Anaheim, California.

Neto scored twice and scored three runs for the Angels, who had previously lost three straight games and eight of nine. Mickey Moniak hit a three-run home run to cap Los Angeles’ four-run second inning.

Angels starter Griffin Canning was unable to capitalize on a five-run lead and was replaced after 4 1/3 innings. He allowed two runs and seven hits while allowing three strikeouts and two walks.

Hans Crouse (1-0) relieved Canning with the bases loaded and one out in the fifth inning and struck out two batters in a row, throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings for his first major league win.

Hunter Strickland, Jose Marte and Carlos Estevez then combined to throw three scoreless innings for Los Angeles.

Leody Taveras hit a two-run homer and Marcus Semien and Jonah Heim each had two hits for the Rangers, who were seeking their sixth consecutive win.

Texas starter Michael Lorenzen (5-5) allowed five runs and five hits in five innings. He struck out three times and allowed four hits.

Lorenzen was particularly wild in the second inning.

Logan O’Hoppe was ejected for stealing after being hit by a pitch early in the inning, but Lorenzen walked the next two hitters before Neto capped a seven-pitch at-bat with a single to right. Brandon Drury initially stalled on third base, but he continued to bat after a fielding error by right fielder Travis Jankowski to give the Angels a 1-0 lead.

Moniak then hit a high fastball over the right field wall for a three-run home run and a 4-0 lead.

The Angels had runners on first and second base with two outs in the third inning when Neto hit a double down the third base line to score Drury for a 5-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, the Rangers began to put pressure on Canning.

Heim hit a single into center field and Taveras then threw a full-count changeup over the fence in right-center field to cut the deficit to 5-2.

Texas had all bases loaded with one out in the fifth and seventh innings, but could not further reduce the lead before Neto hit a home run in the eighth inning to make it 7-2.

–Field level media