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Weaver returns to the hill to face Rangers

Sep 20, 2014 - 2:45 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Looking to round into form ahead of the playoffs, and with some extra rest under his belt, Jered Weaver gets the call on Saturday night when the Los Angeles Angels try to slow down the Texas Rangers.

Weaver will start the second contest of this three-game series having had his start pushed back from Thursday to tonight. The righty was scratched earlier in the week as the Angels had clinched the American League West the previous night.

Tonight, Weaver steps in for Matt Shoemaker, who is dealing with a mild oblique strain, and is 17-8 on the year with a 3.50 earned run average.

"The way (Weaver) threw the ball last time, you could see his stuff has been coming, and I think he'll maintain it," Angels manager Mike Scioscia told his club's website. "But I don't think it's ever a bad thing getting an extra day."

Scioscia was referring to Weaver's recent win over Houston last Saturday in which the 31-year-old struck out 12 batters over seven innings of one-run, four-hit ball. He has won back-to-back outings and lost only once in his past seven starts.

Weaver has faced the Rangers twice this season, going 1-0 and giving up three runs over 15 innings for a 1.80 ERA.

Colby Lewis starts for the Rangers and he snapped a two-start losing streak last time out. His 10-3 decision over Atlanta on Sunday also was just his second victory in seven starts as he yielded one run on five hits over seven innings.

Lewis, a 35-year-old righty, is 10-13 with a 5.12 ERA this season, but has gone 1-3 with an 8.57 ERA in four starts against the Angels this year.

Los Angeles has lost two in a row since clinching the division, including last night's 12-3 setback.

Rookie Ryan Rua had his first career four-hit game for Texas, while Jake Smolinski hit a two-run homer and both Adrian Beltre and Dan Robertson had two RBI.

Lisalverto Bonilla, in his second major league start, surrendered two hits and a pair of runs over five innings as Texas extended its winning streak to a season-high seven games.

"We're feeding off playing well, but it starts with quality pitching," Rangers interim manager Tim Bogar said. "Everything we do now builds for next year."

Brennan Boesch belted a two-run homer for the Angels, while Hector Santiago surrendered seven hits and seven runs -- six earned -- before getting lifted with no outs in the second inning.

"I thought Hector had good stuff, he just missed spots and hit bats," Scioscia said. "He has to exhale. He's had a rough go the last two times."

The Angels have owned the Rangers this season to the tune of 13-4.