Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Mike Napoli's RBI double in the sixth backed Jered Weaver's solid pitching performance, as the Angels held off the Texas Rangers, 2-1, in the rubber match of a three-game series.
Jered Weaver Spins Seven Scoreless As Angels Take Big Series Against West-Leading Rangers
Weaver (8-3) gave up just two hits in seven scoreless innings to win his third straight decision. The right-hander also fanned six batters and walked two on his way to improving to 5-3 lifetime against Texas.
Howie Kendrick drove in the other run for the Angels, who have won four of five.
“That’s as hot a lineup as your going to face,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “There was no doubt Jered had his stuff. He used all his pitches. It was a great effort.”
Ian Kinsler knocked in the lone run for the Rangers, who were attempting to claim a club-record ninth straight series victory. Josh Hamilton, riding a career-high 23-game hit streak, went 0-for-3 in defeat.
C.J. Wilson (6-4) went 5 2/3 frames, allowing two runs on five hits to take the loss. He also struck out four and walked four.
The Angels got on the board in the first. Erick Aybar led off with an infield single and came around to score on Kendrick's double.
LA added a run in the sixth to build a 2-0 lead. Torii Hunter walked and scored on Napoli's double to left.
Weaver retired 10 straight batters before giving up a one-out single to Nelson Cruz in the seventh. The next two batters flied out to end the frame.
Fernando Rodney started on the mound in the eighth for the Angels. Elvis Andrus reached base when he grounded into a fielder's choice. Michael Young followed with a base hit to put runners on the corners. Kinsler's RBI bloop single made it a 2-1 game. Rodney retired two of the next three batters to keep LA in front.
Brian Fuentes tossed a perfect ninth to record his 15th save of the season.
“We had chances but they did what they had to do,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “They shut our bats down. C.J. pitched well and matched Weaver.”
Texas has still won 14 of its past 17 games...The Rangers went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on...The Angels went 0-for-5 with RISP and stranded six...Los Angeles welcomes the Royals to town for a three-game set starting Friday...Texas heads back home to begin a three-game series with the White Sox on Friday.
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