News
Weaver looking to stay perfect at home
Los Angeles (31-29) vs. San Diego (28-33), 12:35 p.m. PT
By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com
06/14/09 1:58 AM ET
ANAHEIM -- Angels starter Jered Weaver is hoping to make quick work of the Padres on Sunday, and considering his recent history at Angel Stadium, there's a good chance he will. In two of his last three starts at home, the games have been clocked at just over two hours, the first against the Blue Jays on May 7 at two hours and six minutes and the second against the White Sox on May 27 at two hours and five minutes. Weaver, a die-hard Lakers fan who has had a Kobe Bryant jersey hanging next to his locker during the NBA Finals, wants to watch Game 5 at night. "I have to go out there and locate early and hit my spots to make quick work of those guys," Weaver said. "I want to catch as much of the game as I can." Weaver has been in top form this season, putting his name into the mix as one of baseball's best pitchers. Weaver hasn't lost at home this season and is 6-2 with 2.31 ERA (third in the AL). In his last three starts, Weaver is 3-0, giving up only four earned runs, striking out a combined 24 batters and walking only eight. "I have really made the right adjustments this season to stay successful," Weaver said. "[Pitching coach Mike] Butcher and I have made sure that my arms and legs are lined up right and I am staying on top of the ball." While Weaver has never faced the Padres, he has seen what a pesky team they can be. In Friday's game, San Diego was down by three runs early before fighting back to score three runs and make it a game, however, the Angels busted it open with five runs in the fourth. Weaver also knows that with the Padres inserting a DH into their lineup for Interleague Play, it creates another threat for an already strong team. "They have a lot of great guys in their lineup," Weaver said. "So with them having a DH, it makes them even tougher and makes me have to be on my game even more." Weaver is especially confident with his slider, which he can now throw more consistently for strikes. The righty will also get added help in the hitting department with DH Vladimir Guerrero batting .588 against Padres starter Chris Young. Lifetime against Young, Guerrero has 10 hits in 17 at bats with four home runs and nine RBIs. Pitching matchupLAA: RHP Jered Weaver (6-2, 2.31 ERA)
Despite having what he considered an off-night in terms of "stuff," Weaver battled through five shutout innings Tuesday against the Rays and left having allowed only two runs in six innings. The issue was fastball command, but he compensated by keeping Rays hitters off-balance with a crisp breaking ball and an effective changeup. He has won five out of his past six decisions and has allowed more than one earned run in only five of his 12 starts this season. This is Weaver's first appearance against the Padres. He is 2-1 with a 1.82 ERA in five career appearances at National League ballparks. SD: RHP Chris Young (4-5, 4.76 ERA)
Young struggled against the Dodgers on Tuesday, tying a career-high by allowing four solo home runs. In all, the right-hander allowed five runs on six hits over five innings. He was just simply hit hard as he threw just 77 pitches and walked one batter before being removed after the fifth. Young is 3-2 with a 5.50 ERA against the Angels in seven career starts. Tidbits
Matt Palmer is the first rookie in Major League history over the age of 30 to start a season with six consecutive wins (all as a starter). ... The Angels have used 11 starting pitchers this season, which is the most in the Majors, and have employed nine rookie pitchers in 2009, which is also the most in the Majors. ... Chone Figgins has hit safely in 27 of the past 29 games. Tickets
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• Monday: Angels (John Lackey, 1-2, 6.61) at Giants (Barry Zito, 3-6, 4.09), 7:15 p.m. PT
• Tuesday: Angels (Ervin Santana, 1-3, 7.47) at Giants (Jonathan Sanchez, 2-6, 4.84), 7:15 p.m. PT
• Wednesday: Angels (Matt Palmer, 6-0, 4.11) at Giants (Tim Lincecum, 6-1, 2.66), 12:45 p.m. PT
Quinn Roberts is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
