Jorge Soler and Zach Neto's return sparked a 4-0 Angels shutout win over the Braves on July 2, 2025. See how their late-game heroics got the Halos to .500.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
For seven innings, it was the kind of tense, scoreless duel that makes your knuckles white. But in the top of the eighth, the Los Angeles Angels, bolstered by the return of some familiar faces, finally broke through. A four-run explosion, sparked by Jo Adell and capped by a triumphant Jorge Soler, led the Halos to a massive 4-0 shutout victory over the Atlanta Braves, pulling the team back to a .500 record for the first time in weeks.
'Having the two guys back makes a huge difference.' - Interim Manager Ray Montgomery
The biggest story heading into Tuesday's game was the return of the cavalry. Outfielder Jorge Soler was officially activated from the injured list after an 11-game absence due to back inflammation, and he didn't waste a moment making his presence felt. In the pivotal eighth inning, Soler blasted a two-run double to blow the game open. Just as crucial was the return of shortstop Zach Neto, who missed four games with a jammed shoulder. Slotted back into the leadoff spot, his energy at the top of the order was a palpable boost. As interim manager Ray Montgomery noted, their return completely changed the complexion of the lineup.
Through six innings, both starters were dealing. The Angels' Tyler Anderson and Braves' Grant Holmes were locked in a stalemate, with Holmes racking up 10 strikeouts. But the Angels' bats finally woke up against the Atlanta bullpen. The rally started with a clutch go-ahead RBI double from Jo Adell to score Mike Trout, breaking the 0-0 tie. That set the stage for Soler's two-run knock, effectively putting the game out of reach and rewarding the pitching staff's stellar effort with some much-needed run support.
While the late offense gets the headlines, this win was built on the mound. Tyler Anderson was masterful, tossing six scoreless innings while striking out seven and keeping the potent Braves lineup off balance. The bullpen then slammed the door, allowing just five hits all night. A special milestone came in the seventh inning, as rookie right-hander José Fermin pitched a scoreless frame to earn his very first Major League win. It was a complete team effort on the pitching side, providing a blueprint for success moving forward.
Reaching the .500 mark is a significant psychological victory for a team that has battled injuries and inconsistency. With Soler and Neto back in the fold, the offense suddenly looks deeper and more dangerous. Now the challenge is to build on this momentum. Can they take the series from a tough Braves team and finally push into winning territory for good? This win feels like more than just a number; it feels like a statement that the Angels are ready to fight in the second half.
