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Armed with new deal, Weaver takes the hill versus Chicago

Aug 24, 2011 - 3:04 PM (Sports Network) - He hasn't pitched like an $85 million man lately, but newly-signed Angels ace Jered Weaver is set to end his winless drought tonight in the conclusion of a quick two-game series versus the Chicago White Sox.

The LA Angels of Anaheim announced Tuesday that they signed Weaver to a five- year, $85 million contract that will keep him with the ballclub through 2016. Weaver started the 2011 All-Star Game for the American League and leads the Junior Circuit with a 2.10 ERA to go along with a 14-6 record in 26 starts.

However, the AL Cy Young candidate is only 0-2 with a 3.95 ERA in his last four starts and pitched well for a no-decision in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Texas Rangers. Weaver held the defending AL champions to a run and six hits in seven innings of work and struck out five batters at the Big A, where he is 6-1 with a 1.49 ERA in 11 starts this season.

Weaver earned a win over the White Sox back on April 15 at U.S. Cellular Field and gave up three runs -- two earned -- in seven innings of work. The righty is 5-2 with a 1.81 ERA in eight career starts against the Pale Hose.

Anaheim took Tuesday's opener by a 5-4 score thanks to Peter Bourjos' RBI single that plated Erick Aybar in the bottom of the ninth inning. Howie Kendrick went 2-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored, while Torii Hunter had two hits and an RBI for the Angels, who have won five straight and pulled within 3 1/2 games of Texas for the AL West lead.

"I was trying to put the ball in play and hit it hard," Bourjos said of his game-winning hit. "I'm seeing the ball well and not swinging at bad pitches. I'm having a lot of fun right now."

Ervin Santana did not figure into the decision and allowed four runs and nine hits in eight innings of work. Jordan Walden struck out two batters in a scoreless ninth frame for the win. The Angels are 5-3 on a nine-game homestand.

Chicago has dropped four of six games and is 6 1/2 games behind Detroit for AL Central supremacy. Cleveland is second at six games off the pace.

The White Sox had won two of three versus Texas, including Sunday's 10-0 win, before last night's tough loss in the bottom of the ninth. Jason Frasor was dealt the loss for allowing the go-ahead run and four hits in just two-thirds of an inning. Starter Mark Buehrle gave up four runs -- three earned -- in six innings for the no-decision.

"Everything was up in the bullpen [session] and it carried right into the game. Every ball they hit, they hit pretty good. [It was] one of the worst nights I've had," Buehrle said.

Alejandro De Aza had two hits and an RBI, Brent Morel finished 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and Paul Konerko became the 13th player to record his 2,000th hit in a White Sox uniform.

Chicago will visit Seattle for three games after this series. Outfielder Carlos Quentin is still bothered by a left shoulder injury and is expected to return in a few days.

"He has made a lot of progress," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said on the team's website. "I expect or hope he can play the first game when we're back in Seattle [starting Friday]. We have a game here and a day off. Hopefully, that helps him."

Zach Stewart is 1-1 with a 2.65 earned run average in four games (2 starts) with the White Sox and gets the nod tonight. Stewart lasted 2 2/3 innings of a 4-2 loss versus Cleveland on Thursday and allowed two runs on four hits with a pair of strikeouts and a walk.

Stewart is 1-2 with a 3.74 ERA in seven games, five of which are starts, with both the Blue Jays and White Sox this season. The right-hander out of Texas Tech has never faced the Angels in his career.

The Angels are 5-2 against the White Sox this season.