Neto homers in 5-hit, 7-RBI night to help the Angels rout the Astros 18-3

By: The Associated Press Posted: 10:17 PM CDT Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

HOUSTON (AP) — Zach Neto was 5-for-6 with his 21st homer and a career-high seven RBIs and the Los Angeles Angels scored their most runs in three years to rout the Houston Astros 18-3 on Thursday night.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

The Angels had a season-high 18 hits and scored their most runs since a 25-1 victory over Colorado on June 24, 2023.

Angels starter Grayson Rodriguez (4-5) gave up just two unearned runs across seven innings while striking out six.

Los Angeles Angels' Zach Neto rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Peter Lambert (8-7) entered as Houston’s most consistent starter but had his worst outing of the season, giving up eight hits and nine runs in 3 2/3 innings.

Houston slipped to 64-64 and saw its two-game lead in the AL West drop to one as Texas beat Washington.

In a scary moment in the fifth, Angels left fielder Wade Meckler was hit in the head by a 90-mph sinker from reliever Bryan King. The pitch appeared to hit Meckler on the helmet over his right ear. He was on the ground near home plate for a few minutes and was attended by medical staff before walking to the dugout and exiting the game.

Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel left in the sixth with right side soreness.

Up next

Angels LHP Reid Detmers (4-8, 3.78 ERA) was set to start against Rangers LHP MacKenzie Gore (7-9, 4.45) in Texas on Friday night. Astros RHP Hayden Wesneski (2-1, 5.16) was set to open a home series against Athletics RHP J.T. Ginn (8-7, 3.53).

___

See AP’s full MLB coverage here