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Angels turn to Weaver against A's

Apr 22, 2015 - 2:28 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Jered Weaver is still searching for his first win of the season and will take the mound for the LA Angels Wednesday in the third test of a four-game series versus the rival Oakland Athletics.

Weaver lost his first two starts of the season and recorded a no-decision the previous time out in a 6-3 win at Houston last Friday. Weaver limited the Astros to two runs and six hits in six innings and lowered his earned run average from 8.71 to 6.61.

The veteran right-hander has made 30 starts in his career against Oakland and has a 13-9 record to go along with a 2.49 ERA. Weaver was 2-2 with a 4.32 ERA in four starts against the A's last season.

Anaheim had no trouble with Oakland in Tuesday's 14-1 pounding, as Johnny Giavotella hit a three-run homer and finished with four RBI and three runs scored. Kole Calhoun also hit a three-run home run and recorded four hits and three runs scored for the Angels, who rebounded from Monday's 6-3 loss to the A's in the series opener and recorded a 15-5 advantage in hits.

"We knew we were going to hit sometime," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Hopefully, tonight will be a catalyst for us. We had good at-bats all the way through."

Hector Santiago benefited from the outburst to earn the win and tossed six solid innings, allowing a run and three hits with eight strikeouts and three walks. Vinnie Pestano and Cam Bedrosian combined to throw three scoreless innings of relief.

The Angels will host the Texas Rangers for three games this weekend.

Oakland lost for the fourth time in six tries and is 4-4 on a 10-game road trip. Drew Pomeranz was saddled with the loss in the 14-1 setback and gave up five runs, four of which were earned, and eight hits in five innings. R.J. Alvarez did no better in an inning of relief, charged with seven runs (6 earned) and five hits.

Billy Butler's home run in the third inning provided the scoring for the Athletics.

"We didn't play a clean game tonight," Athletics manager Bob Melvin said. "It was a bad game all around."

Sonny Gray looks to pitch the Athletics back on track and get some run support Wednesday night. He is 1-0 with a 2.11 earned run average in three starts and didn't have his best stuff in a no-decision at Kansas City last Friday, as he surrendered 11 hits and four runs in six innings.

Gray, who threw eight shutout innings in his season debut on April 6, is 2-1 with a 2.68 ERA in six career games (5 starts) against the Angels. The right- hander is 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA in eight career starts in April and 13-5 in 24 appearances against the AL West.

The Angels took the 2014 series with the A's by a 10-9 count.