Zach Neto hit a home run, and rookie Jack Kochanowicz pitched six shutout innings as the Los Angeles Angels broke a seven-game losing streak with a 3-0 win over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.
“Jack is holding up his end of the deal and we’re making plays behind him,” Neto said.
The Angels had lost 12 of their last 14 games and were 1-8 heading into the final game of their road trip. The Tigers had won six games in a row but left 10 runners on base.
“We had a lot of opportunities, especially late, but we didn’t string at-bats together,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said.
Kochanowicz (2-3) was impressive in his sixth major-league start, giving up five hits in six innings. He struck out four and didn’t issue any walks. He is 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA since rejoining the rotation on August 11.
“I’m so proud of this kid, because his first two outings in July weren’t nice, but the last four have gotten the job done,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “He’s learning how to use his sinker and what part of the plate he needs to put it.”
Three Angels relievers finished the game, with Ben Joyce earning the final four outs for his third save.
Tigers starter Keider Montero (4-6) allowed three runs on five hits and three walks in five innings.
The Angels took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Mickey Moniak hit an RBI double, but he was thrown out trying to reach third base.
Neto extended the lead to 3-0 in the fifth with a two-run homer, his 20th of the season. He is the first Angels infielder to have a season with both 20 home runs and 20 steals.
“It means the world — I dreamed about this as a kid, and now I’ve done it,” he said. “It’s been a grind for the last few days, but I was finally able to put a good swing on a ball and get it out of the park.”
