Surprise debut start doesn’t rattle Zach Plesac in Angels’ win over Brewers
Zach Plesac pitched six innings of four-hit ball in his Angels debut and his first major league start in nearly 14 months, and Zach Neto hit a two-run homer in the Angels’ 5-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.
Luis Guillorme had an RBI triple during the Angels’ three-run third, which was aided by two Brewers defensive misplays. Nolan Schanuel had two hits and drove in a run as the Angels hung on for their fourth win in six games.
Plesac (1-0) was recalled from triple-A Salt Lake earlier Monday to replace José Suarez on the Angels’ roster, and he got assigned to start about two hours before first pitch when José Soriano was scratched because of lower abdominal pain. Plesac’s plane landed mid-afternoon, but he quickly got into form for his return to the big leagues.
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“It was a big spot,” Plesac said. “I needed to step up for these guys today, and that was my goal. It was one of those things you don’t plan for, but you’ve got to be ready to do.”
Plesac signed with the Angels in January after parts of five seasons with Cleveland. He hadn’t pitched in the majors since April 2023, but he made 13 starts for Salt Lake this year before his promotion.
Although he had only one strikeout while throwing a fastball that didn’t top 91 mph, Plesac effectively pitched to contact all night.
“He’s a starter, and we were fortunate enough that (Tuesday) was his (scheduled) day (to start),” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “He went out and gave us six quality innings against a good team. It was a tremendous six innings.”
Southern California natives Jake Bauers and Brice Turang homered for the NL Central-leading Brewers in the opener of a seven-game California trip.
Milwaukee put three runners in scoring position in the last three innings against three Angels relievers, but couldn’t score. Carlos Estévez pitched the ninth for his 13th save.
“Wasn’t a great ballgame for us, for sure,” Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said. “We had opportunities many times. We didn’t play a complete ballgame on any side of the ball. Defense, pitching, offense. We had opportunities again and didn’t come through. That’s disappointing.”
Carlos Rodriguez (0-2) yielded five runs and five hits while pitching into the fifth inning of his second career start for Milwaukee.
Bauers, who attended Huntington Beach Marina High, hit his first homer since May 17 in the second inning on a first-pitch fastball. That undoubtedly pleased his father, Stu, who drove him to the ballpark.
“I grew up coming to games in this stadium,” Bauers said. “Came to playoff games during the playoff run when they won the World Series, so something about this place feels different than all the others, for sure. ... Dad drove me, gave me a little pep talk. He did tell me he likes it when I swing at first-pitch fastballs.”
The Angels send left-hander José Suarez to triple-A Salt Lake and call up pitcher Zach Plesac before José Soriano is scratched Monday.
In the third, Jo Adell drew a walk and scored when Guillorme’s drive to right got away from Sal Frelick. Schanuel then singled in Guillorme and eventually scored on Taylor Ward’s sacrifice fly.
Neto hit a line drive for his 10th homer in the fourth, scoring Logan O’Hoppe.
Turang, who attended Corona Santiago High, had a solo shot in the fifth for his first homer since May 25.
Retired Brewers star Ryan Braun attended the game with his family. The six-time All-Star and 2011 NL MVP, who retired in 2021, is a Los Angeles native.
Notes: Brandon Drury went 0 for 3 in his return from a 34-game absence because of a hamstring injury. ... Manager Ron Washington wasn’t sure when Soriano started to feel ill, and he didn’t know when Soriano would pitch again. ... Anthony Rendon is increasing his running progression. The $245 million third baseman has been out since April 20 because of a hamstring strain.
Up next: Griffin Canning (2-7, 4.76 ERA) looks to end his three-start losing streak when he makes his first career appearance against the Brewers. Milwaukee counters with rookie Tobias Myers (3-2, 3.76), who has won two straight starts for the first time.
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