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Angels turn to Weaver in opener with Orioles

Jul 29, 2014 - 2:01 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Jered Weaver played the role of stopper for Los Angeles in the finale of a series against Baltimore nearly a week ago.

This time around, the Angels will look for their ace to get them off on the right foot Tuesday evening as Weaver gets the call for the opener of a three- game series with the Orioles.

In danger of getting swept at home by Baltimore last week, Los Angeles turned to Weaver for Wednesday's finale of a three-game set and the right-hander delivered a 3-2 win. That victory ran Weaver's unbeaten streak to seven straight outings as he has not lost since June 16.

Weaver held the Orioles to a pair of runs on six hits over eight innings, striking out six without a walk. He held on long enough to get the win as Los Angeles' Kole Calhoun worked a bases-loaded walk to force in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.

"My fastball command was pretty good tonight. It sets up everything else," said Weaver after improving to 11-6 with a 3.36 earned run average on the season. "I feel like I'm getting stronger."

That isn't good news for the O's, as the 31-year-old Weaver is 7-4 with a 2.97 ERA in 11 previous meetings.

Following the victory over Baltimore, Los Angeles took the final three meetings of a four-game set with Detroit, outscoring the Tigers 8-2 in the three wins to stay in the hunt for first place in the AL West.

The AL East-leading Orioles, meanwhile, followed up their season victory over the Angels by taking two of three from Seattle, going 6-4 on a 10-game road trip.

Baltimore will play its next six at home and will again counter Weaver with right-hander Chris Tillman, who did not get a decision in last Wednesday's meeting.

Tillman, who has not been charged with more than three earned runs in each of his past nine starts, yielded a run on five hits and a pair of walks in six innings versus the Angels. He is 0-1 over his last five following a second straight no-decision and 7-5 with a 3.92 ERA on the season.

"I felt good. It was a hit-and-miss tonight," Tillman said. "They have a good lineup. Weaver was really good tonight. You have to tip your cap."

The 26-year-old is 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA in three career starts versus the Angels, but comes into this rematch a mere 1-5 despite a 2.89 ERA in nine outings at home on the year.

The Orioles have won seven of their last 10 versus the Angels.