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Anderson continues tear; Weaver impressive in Angels win

Sep 5, 2007 - 5:38 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Garret Anderson hit a go-ahead two-run homer in sixth inning to help Jered Weaver earn his third straight win, as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim posted a 4-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday.

Howie Kendrick hit a game-tying home run in the third for Anaheim (82-56), which leads the Seattle Mariners (74-63) by 7 1/2 games in the American League West.

"It's just good to be back and being able to help the team win ball game," Kendrick said. "I'm just trying to keep swinging a good bat and be ready for the playoffs."

The 35-year-old Anderson followed a leadoff walk to Vladimir Guerrero by blasting a two-run shot to right field off Lenny DiNardo (8-8) in the sixth, as the Angels improved on their major-league best 47-22 home mark.

Anderson, who has an RBI in nine straight games, is 14-for-32 (.437) with six home runs and 17 RBI during that span.

"He's (Anderson) been on streaks like this before, and it's great for us," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's healthy and his confidence is big, and his bat is re-emerging. He's the Garret we've seen before and can hit anybody."

"Unbelieveable" Weaver said of Anderson. "The way he's swinging now and the spark he's giving us is big. Just can't believe he came through with another big home run for us."

Meanwhile, Weaver (11-6) has been dominant lately, winning five of his last six starts and allowing just three runs in his last 20 1/3 innings. However, this one did not start well for the 24-year-old righthander. Weaver surrendered a leadoff homer to Shannon Stewart and a RBI groundout to Stewart in the second.

"I think why I have been pitching better is that I'm getting stronger in (each of) the past few starts," Weaver said. "Everything is feeling good for me the past four or five starts, and hope I can just keep it rolling."

After allowing those two runs, Weaver threw five scoreless innings. Overall, he allowed two runs and seven hits with five strikeouts and three walks in six innings.

"I struggled early on since I couldn't locate my pitches early," Weaver said. "I had to rely on my off-speed pitches later in the game to help me out. I just battled tonight."

Darren Oliver threw two scoreless frames and closer Francisco Rodriguez entered in the ninth and allowed consecutive doubles before striking out Jack Cust to post his 34th save.

"It's always good when we can get Darren to come in and eat up innings late in the game to give some of the guys in the bullpen a rest," Scioscia said.

DiNardo allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings, as the A's lost for the eighth time in the last 11 games.

"I felt like I was cruising in the game early on and making good pitches," DiNardo said. "I missed bad with the location on my pitch to Anderson and that was the difference."