Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Jered Weaver worked seven strong innings and set a franchise record with his performance, as the LA Angels of Anaheim dumped Texas, 4-1, in the rubber match of a three-game set from Angel Stadium.
Jered Weaver Sets Franchise Record In 4-1 Angels Win
Weaver (10-7) limited the opposition to four hits and an unearned run, fanning seven with three walks to snap a two-start losing streak. In the process, the 27-year-old Los Angeles native set a franchise record by becoming the first pitcher to win 10-or-more games in each of his first five seasons.
“When you go up against Lee, it’s a battle,” Weaver said of his competition. “We got two in the first and it took some pressure off me. Our defense did a great job. I just tried to keep their hitters off balance.”
Brian Fuentes locked down the win with a scoreless ninth for his 20th save.
Alberto Callaspo and Mike Napoli drove in runs and Torii Hunter collected three hits for the Angels, who won for just the third time in their last 10 contests.
Vladimir Guerrero knocked in the only run for the Rangers, who dropped two of three in the series but have nonetheless won six of their last 10.
Cliff Lee (9-5) went the distance in defeat, charged with nine hits and four runs. The lefty has now gone nine straight starts of at least eight innings, the longest such streak since Toronto's Pat Hentgen reeled off 12 in a row in 1996.
The Angels got to Lee in the first, picking up a pair of runs. Erick Aybar got things started with a single, then moved up on a sacrifice bunt ahead of Callaspo's run-scoring base hit. Hunter singled then Napoli grounded to second to score Callaspo.
Juan Rivera's groundout in the fourth made it 3-0 for the home team, then Guerrero's RBI double in the sixth put the Rangers on the board.
Weaver stranded runners on second and third in his final inning after retiring Michael Young on a flyout.
Fernando Rodney turned in a spotless eighth and Howie Kendrick's sacrifice fly added an insurance run in the bottom half.
Fuentes held the Rangers at bay in the ninth despite allowing a walk and single.
“We had our chances and Weaver made his pitches. You tip your hat to him, he kept us from scoring. The Angels also made the most of their scoring opportunities,” noted Rangers manager Ron Washington.
Weaver also posted his 14th consecutive start of six innings or more...Lee dropped to 7-4 lifetime against the Angels, and had his five-game win streak snapped against LA. He also fell to 1-2 with two no-decisions since the Rangers acquired him earlier in July...Despite the loss, Texas leads the season series 7-5...Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz went 0-for-3 with a walk, seeing his 19-game hit streak end.
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