• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Angels battle Twins with win streak on the line

May 8, 2012 - 2:58 PM (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim eye a fourth straight win this evening when they continue a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

On Monday in his first start since tossing a no-hitter against Minnesota on May 2, Jered Weaver spun six strong innings of one-run ball to lift the Angels to an 8-3 win.

Weaver (5-0) allowed just three hits and walked two over six frames as he became the first pitcher since Derek Lowe in 2002 to throw a no-hitter against a team and then face them in his next outing.

"A lot of things went my way," said Weaver. "They hit the ball hard and obviously it wasn't like it was the start before but it's always tough pitching against the same team two times in row."

Albert Pujols ended his home run drought at 139 at-bats on Sunday and knocked in two runs on Monday while Alberto Callaspo added a two-run homer and finished with three RBI to help the Angels earn their third straight victory.

Francisco Liriano (0-5) is still in search of his first win in 2012 after giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. Denard Span and Joe Mauer each knocked in a run as Minnesota dropped its third straight.

Minnesota has also lost eight of its last nine at home.

Tonight, the Angels will turn to righty Dan Haren, who is 1-2 with a 3.43 ERA. Haren found himself on the losing end of a decision to Toronto on Thursday, as he allowed five runs (three earned) and five hits in seven innings.

He is 4-3 in 10 starts against the Twins with a 3.44 ERA.

Minnesota, meanwhile, will turn to left-hander Scott Diamond, who'll be making his first start in place of the struggling Liam Hendriks. Diamond was 4-1 with a 2.60 ERA in six starts at Triple-A Rochester before being called up and had lasted six or more innings in each of his first five.

"I've tried to keep it simple and not let the game speed up on me," said Diamond, who's tried to emulate teammate Carl Pavano. "So I've been able to throw strikes and attack hitters."

The Angels have won five of seven against the Twins this season. This, though, is the final series between the teams this year.