Zach Neto has 2 homers, 6 RBIs to lead Angels to 9-8 win over Astros

HOUSTON (AP) — Zach Neto hit two home runs and drove in six, and the Los Angeles Angels came from behind twice to beat the Houston Astros 9-8 on Sunday.

“At the end of the game there, his last three at-bats he took the game over,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “He has that capability. … He got us the win.”

The Angels trailed 4-0 in the sixth before scoring two runs in back-to-back innings, and then took the lead in the eighth on a solo shot from Neto.

“We’ve got a lot of grit, we’ve got a lot of fight on this team,” said Neto, who cut the lead in half in the sixth with a two-run shot in his second career multi-homer game. “We trust in each other to put us in the best spots and just being able to come through.”

The Astros responded with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning before the Angels had a four-run ninth. With the bases loaded against Astros closer Josh Hader, Taylor Ward drew a game-tying walk before Neto ripped a bases-clearing double down the left-field line to drive in three more.

“Can’t let the first guy get on, that was the first problem,” Hader said. “Hung a slider to Pillar and then they just started jumping on the fastball up.”

This was Hader’s fourth blown save of the season. Hader (8-8) gave up four runs on three hits, walked two and struck out none in 1/3 innings.

Leading 9-6, Jose Quijada gave up a pair of RBI singles to Yainer Diaz and Victor Caratini, making it a one-run game.

“Not quitting until the last out of the game, that fight, that’s what it’s all about,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “We were one swing away from winning that game. I give credit to those boys. They fight until the end.”

The Angels called on Guillo Zuniga to close it out. He struck out Jeremy Pena with the tying run on third base. It was Zuniga’s second save of the season. Brock Burke (2-1) got the win.

“We held on and we won,” Washington said. “It should have been an easier victory but that team over there is relentless and they showed it again. But we were also relentless and holding on.”

Houston (85-71) begins a three-game series with Seattle (80-76) on Monday and has a chance to clinch the AL West with a win in that series.

“One game at a time,” Espada said. “I just saw Texas won, which is good news for our club. But we just have to take care of our business.”

The Astros bullpen ended up surrendering seven runs to the Angels over the final three innings of the game.

“They’ve been so good, our bullpen has been lights out,” Espada said. “Just one of those nights.”

Spencer Arrighetti gave up two runs on five hits, walked none and struck out six in six innings in a no decision.

“I thought he threw the ball really well,” Espada said. “When he came in, his body wasn’t feeling great so I decided to hand the ball to the bullpen.”

Angels starter Griffin Canning gave up four runs on six hits, walked three and struck out three in 4 1/3 innings.

Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman homered in the fifth inning. It was the 20th homer of the season for Altuve, who also has 22 stolen bases this season, giving him his first 20-20 season since 2017.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels: OF Jordyn Adams was out of the lineup for a third-straight game due to right knee soreness. Angels manager Ron Washington considers his status still day-to-day.

Astros: OF Yordan Alvarez exited the game in the third inning with a right knee contusion. Alvarez is “pretty sore” and was getting imaging done on his knee following the game. … OF Chas McCormick, on the injured list since Sept. 11 with a fractured right hand, will swing a bat on Monday. … OF Ben Gamel (fractured left fibula) is likely done for the season, according to Astros General Manager Dana Brown.

UP NEXT

Astros: RHP Hunter Brown (11-8, 3.57 ERA) faces Seattle RHP Bryce Miller (11-8, 3.06 ERA) in the series opener on Monday night at home.

Angels: After an off day, RHP Jonathan Cannon (4-10, 4.61 ERA) will face White Sox RHP Jack Kochanowicz (2-5, 4.56 ERA) in the series opener on Tuesday in Chicago.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, left, catches Los Angeles Angels' Jack López (10) who was trying to steal as umpire Rob Drake, top right, watches for a call during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Jack López dives but misses a base hit by Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Griffin Canning delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros' Alex Bregman hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros' Alex Bregman celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros' Jose Altuve tosses his bat after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros' Jose Altuve is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Jack López (10) turns a double play on Houston Astros' Jake Meyers after forcing out Jason Heyward (22) during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman throws out Los Angeles Angels' Gustavo Campero on a ground ball during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros' Alex Bregman hits an RBI sacrifice fly during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros' Jose Altuve scores on a sacrifice fly during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros' Alex Bregman, right, slaps hands with Victor Caratini, left, after scoring during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros pinch hitter Shay Whitcomb hits a go-ahead RBI single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros relief pitcher Héctor Neris reacts after giving up a run on a balk during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros closer Josh Hader reacts after walking in the tying run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Los Angeles Angels' Nolan Schanuel watches his RBI sacrifice fly during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Los Angeles Angels' Zach Neto runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto, left, and first baseman Brandon Drury (23) celebrate after a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Los Angeles Angels' Zach Neto celebrates after hitting a three-run double during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Los Angeles Angels' Zach Neto, right, is congratulated by third base coach Eric Young Sr., left, after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

VILLARREAL, Spain (AP) — Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen left the field on a stretcher after sustaining a knee injury in a 5-1 win over Villarreal in the Spanish league on Sunday.

Ter Stegen's right knee buckled when he fell awkwardly after going for a high ball crossed into the area just before halftime.

Players from both teams immediately called for medical assistance.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said the injury appeared to be a torn ligament but more tests would be carried out. Local media reports said Ter Stegen went from the stadium to the hospital in an ambulance, and left the hospital in a wheelchair.

“This injury makes us sad. I think the injury will be huge but we have to wait for more information,” Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said. “We have to accept it. It’s not easy. It was an accident. It’s very tough.”

The 32-year-old German goalkeeper, one of Barcelona's captains, was later taken to the hospital in an ambulance for further tests.

Ter Stegen was replaced by Iñaki Peña.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who missed most of last season with a similar injury, showed his support for Ter Stegen with a message on X, saying that it hurt to see his colleague leave the field like that and that he hoped he would recover soon.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Barcelona's goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is removed from the pitch on a stretcher after picking up an injury during a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Villarreal at the La Cerámica stadium in Villarreal, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

Barcelona's goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is removed from the pitch on a stretcher after picking up an injury during a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Villarreal at the La Cerámica stadium in Villarreal, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)