Zach Neto had never seen a triple play in person before he made it happen himself in the sixth inning of the Los Angeles Angels’ 7-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.
Zach Neto had never seen a triple play in person before he made it happen himself in the sixth inning of the Angels’ 7-6 victory over the Dodgers on Tuesday night.
With ideal positioning and smooth technique, Neto got two putouts and an assist after Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani hit a line drive straight to him behind second base. Neto caught it and doubled up both Dodgers baserunners, completing the eighth triple play in Angels history in a flash.
The significance of the feat — and particularly because of the former teammate who hit the ball at him — wasn’t lost on the Angels shortstop.
“I was telling my guys, I think that was more exciting than hitting two home runs yesterday,” said Neto, who indeed homered twice while the Halos beat the Dodgers on Monday.
“Honestly, I think it was pretty cool,” he added. “I like hitting home runs, but making a play like that in a situation where you have one of the best hitters up to bat with first and second, no outs, and to be able to make a play like that, it was pretty special.”
Miguel Rojas was on second and Dalton Rushing was on first when Ohtani hit a drive right up the middle past reliever Brock Burke.
Neto caught the liner and stepped on the bag in stride to get Rojas, who had no chance.
