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Weaver goes on short rest in finale with Rangers

Aug 28, 2011 - 2:35 PM (Sports Network) - Jered Weaver goes on three days' rest this evening when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim wrap up a three-game set against Texas at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

"It's not a big deal," Weaver said. "Guys used to pitch on two days' rest. We always mess around about going on short rest. It just came up."

Weaver won for the first time in five starts on Wednesday and was terrific in doing so, as he beat the Chicago White Sox, scattering four hits over seven scoreless innings to run his record to 15-6, while lowering his earned run average to 2.03.

"I was a little too amped up there -- a little erratic early," Weaver said. "Arm slot was kind of going all over the place. But I slowed it down and figured it out later. [Catcher Jeff] Mathis worked with me back there and got me back on point.

" ... I think [my slider's] release point was kind of erratic early on. Fastball command usually pretty good, wasn't too good tonight."

Weaver did not get a decision the last time he faced the Rangers, despite serving up only a run in seven innings, but is 9-5 lifetime against them with a 3.14 ERA in 24 starts.

The Angels evened this series at a game apiece on Saturday, as Vernon Wells, Mike Trout, Bobby Wilson, Peter Bourjos and Howie Kendrick each hit solo home runs to power them to an 8-4 victory.

Wells added an RBI triple, while Torii Hunter and Erick Aybar both singled home a run for the Angels, who closed to within two games of the division- leading Rangers.

Like Weaver, Ervin Santana (10-9) started on short rest and allowed four runs on four hits over seven innings to get the win.

The Angels rebounded from an 11-7 loss in Friday's series opener, which halted their season-best winning streak at six games.

David Murphy hit a two-run homer for the Rangers, but grounded into a game- ending double play with the bases loaded. Texas starter C.J. Wilson (13-6) gave up six runs on 10 hits in five frames. The left-hander set a career-high by surrendering four home runs.

Tonight, Texas will hand the ball to righty Colby Lewis, who is coming off one of his worst outings of the season. Lewis was battered by the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday for seven runs and nine hits in six innings, dropping him to 11-9 on the year to go along with a 4.07 ERA.

Lewis tossed seven scoreless innings against Weaver and the Angels two starts ago, but did not get a decision in a 2-1 loss. He is 3-3 in 11 games (nine starts) against them with a 4.31 ERA.

Texas has won eight of its 15 matchups with the Angels in 2011, but has split the eight matchups in Arlington.