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White Sox-Angels Preview

Sep 26, 2010 - 5:50 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Chicago (81-72) at Los Angeles (75-78), 3:35 p.m. EDT

While it's been a disappointing home series for the Los Angeles Angels, Jered Weaver has a good chance to end it on a high note.

Weaver looks to continue stifling opponents at Angels Stadium when he takes the mound Sunday, trying to help Los Angeles avoid being swept by the Chicago White Sox.

The Angels' run as three-time defending AL West champs ended with a 2-1 loss to Chicago (82-72) on Friday combined with Texas' win over Oakland. Los Angeles (75-79) didn't fare much better Saturday, losing its third straight 6-2.

The Angels have scored six runs in their last four games. Torii Hunter is 2 for 15 over that stretch with five strikeouts.

Los Angeles will try to snap the losing streak when it turns to Weaver (13-11, 2.99 ERA), who is used to a lack of run support.

He gave up three runs in 6 2-3 innings of a 7-4 win over the Rangers on Monday to improve to 6-3 with a 1.72 ERA at home. It's the second-best home ERA among AL starters, trailing Trevor Cahill of the A's.

Weaver has a 1.96 ERA in his last five starts, but is just 2-2. The Angels scored 13 runs of support in the right-hander's last two starts, but they totaled just five runs in the previous six.

"You're talking about a guy that would be in the race for the Cy Young," manager Mike Scioscia told the Angels' official website. "Unfortunately, we haven't as a team put him into that position."

Weaver gave up four runs in 6 1-3 innings of a 4-1 loss to the White Sox on July 6. He was 4-0 with a 0.52 ERA in his previous five starts against them.

He'll look to keep Chicago from completing the sweep at Angels Stadium for the first time since April 28-30, 2006.

On Saturday, Manny Ramirez's run-scoring double capped a four-run third, and John Danks pitched eight strong innings en route to the White Sox's third straight victory following an eight-game slide.

"We are not going to the playoffs, but we don't want to get our heads handed to us," Danks told the club's official website.

The White Sox have won six straight over the Angels by a 27-8 margin.

Tony Pena (4-2, 4.87) will make his second start for Chicago, replacing the injured Gavin Floyd.

Pena, who has pitched 9 2-3 scoreless innings of relief in his last three appearances, gave up four runs and five hits in seven innings of a 7-6, 10-inning win over Kansas City on Aug. 21 in other start.

The right-hander is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three relief appearances against the Angels this season.