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Weaver eyes win No. 1 in Detroit

Apr 18, 2014 - 10:29 AM (SportsNetwork.com) - Jered Weaver takes another shot at win No. 1 on Friday when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim open a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

Weaver lost his first two starts of the season and did not get a decision his last tine out on Saturday against the New York Mets. The righty allowed four runs and three hits with four walks over 6 2/3 innings of that one, a 7-6 loss.

"I really thought Weav worked hard to get to that point in the game," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of his decision. "His linescore was good, but his ball-strike ratio (99 pitches, 50 strikes) was as off as I've ever seen from Jered."

Weaver has faced the Tigers 10 times and is 3-4 against them with a 4.97 ERA.

Los Angeles avoided a sweep at the hands of the red-hot Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, as Chris Iannetta's solo home run to center field in the 12th inning lifted the Angels to an entertaining 5-4 victory.

The Angels forced extra innings with a ninth-inning rally for the second straight night, but this time they came away victorious, as Iannetta's blast off Drew Pomeranz (1-1) was just out of reach of a leaping Craig Gentry.

"I was looking for a pitch to hit and it was a fastball over the plate," said Iannetta. "I knew I hit it well but Angels Stadium at night, you never know. It's an awesome feeling."

Detroit, meanwhile, snapped a two-game losing streak on Thursday, as Ian Kinsler launched a three-run homer and drove in four runs to power the Tigers past the Cleveland Indians, 7-5.

Austin Jackson knocked in a pair while Rajai Davis finished with two hits, an RBI and a run scored for the Tigers, who shook off a one-run loss in Wednesday's opener after a Tuesday rainout.

"You never know in this game," Kinsler said. "This game humbles you very quickly, so you have to be prepared to win every day. One's a start."

Justin Verlander (2-1) fanned seven and walked four over only five innings, but allowed three unearned runs on six hits for the win. Joe Nathan tossed a scoreless ninth to post his second save.

"Great location today," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said of Nathan. "He was hitting the corners today, which is what he did so well last year."

Detroit will hand the ball to lefty Drew Smyly on Friday. Smyly picked up a win and has yet to allow a run in six innings out of the bullpen this season. Thanks to a few rainouts and off days, though, this will be his first start of the season.

"He certainly understands," Ausmus said. "He's been a pro about it the whole time, and he continues to be. Unfortunately, the schedule and the weather have just wreaked havoc on our pitching rotation."

Smyly made 18 starts as a rookie for the Tigers in 2012, but pitched primarily out of the bullpen last season, going 6-0 with a 2.37 ERA in 63 appearances.

The Tigers dropped all six of their meetings with the Angels last season.