Weaver looks like Cy Young material against A's

After missing one start due to an biceps tendinitis, Jered Weaver looked to avoid his team getting swept by their AL West rival Oakland A's.

Weaver and A's starter Brett Anderson entered a pitchers duel where neither pitcher gave up runs for several inning in the 90 degree plus heat at Angel Stadium.

The Angels made their attempt to score in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Howie Kendrick hit a missile of a double deep to right field. Erick Aybar ground out to second base which advanced Kendrick to third base. With a runner in scoring position, Mark Trumbo struck out swinging and Vernon Wells grounded out to shortstop which prevented the Angels from scoring.

Weaver continued to dominate as he sat down Josh Reddick for the final out in the top of the sixth inning.

Once again the Angels made another attempt to score, as Mike Trout smacked a double deep to right field. Alberto Callaspo hit a timely sacrifice fly to right that advanced Trout to third base.With two outs and a runner in scoring position, Albet Pujols hit a grounder to third base for the third out.

However in the seventh inning, the Angels exploded as Torii Hunter led off with his 15th home run that gave the Angels the 1-0 lead. After Aybar doubled to deep left, Trumbo hit an RBI single that scored Aybar which made it 2-0 Angels. The bats continued to be as hot as the California weather as Vernon Wells connecte don an infield single which moved Trout to second base. Later Mike Trout walked, which loaded the bases for the Angels and A's starter Anderson was relieved by Jonny Chavez.
Chavez proved to be no match for the Angel bats as Callaspo belted a clutch single to right that scored both Trumbo and Wells.
Trout scored from third and Callaspo flew into second base thanks to a poorly thrown ball by George Kottaras. With both Callaspo and Pujols on base Hunter connected on an RBI single that scored Callaspo and increased the Angels lead over the A's 6-0.

After phenomenal pitching fest by Weaver, Angels manager Mike Scioscia decided to bring in reliever Kevin Jepsen in the inning. The bullpen has had moments where its blown lead but not today as Jepsen was solid. With Coco Crisp and Jemile Weeks on second and third base, Jepsen remained focused and struck out Seth Smith to end the eight inning.
"Obviously we didn't want to get swept. Things didn't go the way we wanted them to the first three games, but those guys are playing good baseball and you can't take them lightly. These guys are always scrappy, so it's going to be interesting down the stretch," said Jered Weaver.

In the ninth inning Angels closer Nick Maronde did a fantastic job as he struck out Chris Carter and Gomes for the last two outs of the game. The Angels held on to shut out the A's 6-0 and avoided the series sweep.

Jered Weaver (17-4) pitched seven strong innings, on nine strikeouts, on two hits. "It was disappointing to miss a start, but luckily it was only one and I was able to get healthy again. It was nice to be able to throw up some zeros."

A's starter Brett Anderson (4-1) was charged with five runs and nine hits over six innings in his fifth start since returning from Tommy John surgery back in July 2011.

"My whole career I've been a strong second-half hitter because I make adjustments. That's what baseball is all about, and that's what I've been able to do it with the Twins and with the Angels," Torii Hunter said.