Weaver Delivers In Win Over White Sox
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Jered Weaver pitched five-hit ball into the seventh inning, and Carlos Perez homered in the Los Angeles Angels' third straight victory over the Chicago White Sox, 1-0 Wednesday night.
Weaver (5-9) earned his first victory since May 30, striking out five without a walk in his third start back from a seven-week injury absence. The Angels' longtime ace showed command and deception that made up for his velocity, and eventually left to a standing ovation.
Perez delivered the game's only run with his third homer of the season in the sixth. The catcher hadn't homered since May 30.
The game ended after a 3 1/2-minute video review determined that reliever Joe Smith had touched the bag while covering first base on a double play. Pinch-hitter Adam LaRoche initially was called safe.
Jeff Samardzija yielded eight hits over seven solid innings for the White Sox, who have lost five of six. Chicago was shut out for the first time since June 16.
Samardzija (8-9) was less effective than Weaver, but just as resourceful during his most encouraging start in a dismal August. He repeatedly escaped trouble, including a bases-loaded, nobody-out jam in the second.
J.B. Shuck and Carlos Sanchez had two hits apiece for the White Sox.
Los Angeles stranded nine runners in the first five innings, including six in scoring position, continuing a season-long trend.
Mike Trout went 1 for 3 with a walk, improving his August batting average to .169. The reigning AL MVP ended just the third four-game hitless skid of his career with a first-inning single.
Albert Pujols got the day off for the Angels, who were swept in a three-game series in Chicago last week during a 1-6 road trip. Los Angeles has ended a 6-17 skid with three straight wins this week over the White Sox, staying right behind Houston in the AL West and moving back into playoff position in the AL wild card race.
The Angels had to use Smith, their eighth-inning specialist, in the ninth because closer Huston Street had pitched in the three previous games.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: Pujols got a rest day despite hitting three homers in his last four games. Manager Mike Scioscia wants to keep the slugger's legs fresh for September. He played in 115 of Los Angeles' first 119 games this season.
UP NEXT
White Sox: Jose Quintana (6-10, 3.62 ERA) has never beaten the Angels in four career starts.
Angels: Nick Tropeano (1-1, 3.00 ERA) will come up from Triple-A to make his third start for Los Angeles.
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