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Weaver vs. Weaver duel a dud, Dodgers beat Angels

Jun 21, 2009 - 5:29 AM By SOLANGE REYNER Associated Press Writer

ANAHEIM, Calif.(AP) -- Jeff Weaver didn't answer his little brother's calls. Not on this day.

Jeff outpitched little brother Jered in a duel that was mostly a dud and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-4 on Saturday night.

The much-anticipated Weaver vs. Weaver matchup didn't last too long as neither 26-year-old Jered nor 32-year-old Jeff made it through the sixth inning.

It was the first time in seven years that siblings started against each other in the majors - in 2002, Andy and Alan Benes were the pitchers. This was the 21st time overall that it had occurred in the big leagues.

"I called him a couple of times, and he big-leagued me, so I don't know what quite happened there," Jered said. "I don't know if he was getting mentally prepared, or what. I tried calling him a couple of times and there was no answer, so what are you going to do?"

Well, pitch.

Jeff Weaver (4-1) had the upper hand there, too, going five-plus innings and giving up two runs and six hits, including a home run by Kendry Morales.

Jered Weaver (7-3) had a rougher time. He went 5 1-3 innings and was tagged for six runs and 10 hits, including a home run by Russell Martin - his first of the season.

"You get locked in when you're out there and don't really think about anything else than facing the opponents' lineup," Jeff said.

So did he feel good about beating his little brother?

"I'm mentally and physically exhausted. It's one of the most ill-felt victories ever, but you take wins whenever you can get them. I'm glad it's all said and done," he said.

"I would have rather pitched six, seven or eight innings than sit around and watch the rest of the game. You always wish the best for him, but we just caught him on the right day and we came up with some huge hits with two outs. He's going to have plenty more starts."

So would either be up for a rematch?

"No. Absolutely not. It was draining enough having to do it one time. It took five years to do it and it was a fun experience, but I'm glad it's over with," Jered said.

"He's had the upper hand on me the past 26 years, so we're going to laugh about it. It was fun to be a part of, and hopefully we never have to go through that again."

The brothers' parents, Gail and Dave Weaver, sat about 20 rows behind home plate decked out in half Angels/half Dodgers jerseys that appeared to be stitched together in the back - an idea Jeff's wife came up with. Picking a number didn't come up as an issue - both brothers wear 36.

They also left the game with other souvenirs: the brothers' first pitches.

Gail and Dave were spotted on television throughout the game - especially when Jered and Jeff had trouble on the mound.

"It was very emotional," Gail said. "It is not a comfortable feeling, you want them both to do well because they are doing the best that they can and we are just rooting for both of them," she said.

Dave was caught with his head in his hands a few times when either sibling gave up a run.

"At least one good thing came out of it - they got some pretty sweet jerseys," Jered said. "It was good to see them up there. I saw dad up there with his head down a couple of times, but that's the way he always is."

That happened plenty of times in the fifth. Jered, who struck out four and walked three, gave up three runs in that inning, with Andre Ethier's two-run triple giving the Dodgers a 5-2 lead.

Jeff, who was bumped out of the majors by Jered in 2006, gave up two runs early and left after Chone Figgins hit a leadoff triple in the sixth. The rest of his outing was pretty much hiccup-free, and he had easy innings in the third, fourth and fifth.

"I'm glad we had the one that won," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "The older one should have won."

Gary Matthews Jr. hit a two-run homer off Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton in the ninth.

Bobby Abreu singled in Figgins in the first inning and Morales' homer over the left-field wall gave the Angels an early 2-0 lead.

But the Dodgers tied it up in the third when Martin hit a solo homer and Orlando Hudson had a sacrifice fly.

NOTES: Suspended Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez is set to start his minor league stint on Tuesday with Triple-A Albuquerque. He is eligible to be reinstated on July 3, when the Dodgers are in San Diego. ... The Angels agreed to terms with their first pick in this year's draft. OF Randal Grichuk visited with Angels' manager Mike Scioscia and got to take a whirl around the clubhouse before the game. He will fly out Sunday and play in the Arizona rookie league. ... Eric Milton will make a rehab start in San Bernardino on Sunday.