Angels’ Jack Neto taps Pokemon to end slump, hitting HR

Before this, Dr. in five matches Los Angeles Angels‘Tuesday win Chicago White Soxshortstop Zach Neto was in a recession.

He went hitless in 18 at-bats, dropping his batting average by 30 points. With his mind on the slump before the game, the Angels shortstop needed an outlet to relieve the pressure.

His choice? Pokemon card opening with center fielder Mike Trout.

After the angels 4-3 In a win over the White Sox, Neto revealed that Trout asked him to open a pack of cards with him — and had a specific prediction.

“He texted me this morning about tearing up Pokemon cards, and if we find a Charizard card, I’m going to hit a home run,” Neto said postgame.

Apparently, it worked — for both teammates.

Trout and Neto homered, with Trout’s shot going 367 feet in the bottom of the first inning and Neto going yards to left in the bottom of the fifth.

Mike Trout opened Pokemon cards with Jack Neto before yesterday’s game to make him upset

Neto pulled a Charizard card and Trout said the box of cards would bring them a home run…

Then they both hit home runs 🤯 pic.twitter.com/GJob6rPAbz

— MLB (@MLB) May 6, 2026

This isn’t the first time Pokemon has made its way into MLB. Last August, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski A rare red Charizard is drawn Card after win New York Mets.

As for Neto, he credited the Charizard card for helping him get out of his slump.

“It’s just little things to get my head out of baseball a little bit. Sometimes you need that and I was able to come through. … Thanks, Charizard,” Neto said.

Neto is averaging .218 with six homers and 16 RBIs for the Angels this season.