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Weaver, Angels blank Dodgers

Jun 17, 2007 - 12:04 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim continue to get the better of their Freeway Series rivals.

Jered Weaver and the Angels' bullpen combined to shut out the Los Angeles Dodgers, 3-0 in the second of a three-game interleague series on Saturday.

After sweeping the Dodgers at Angel Stadium from May 18-20, the Angels have split the first two games of this series at Dodger Stadium.

"I wouldn't say that we have their number, we just know that they are a rival and we always want to beat them," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Weaver (6-3) pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings. The second-year righthander surrendered four hits with four walks and three strikeouts.

"I located my pitches when I had to and I knew going into the game it was going to be a pitchers game today with (Giants starter Jason) Schmidt pitching for them," Weaver said.

Darren Oliver recorded the final two outs of the sixth inning and Scot Shields pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth. Francisco Rodriguez struck out the side in the ninth to record his 22nd save.

"We have depth and that's a big reason why we keep winning ballgames," Scioscia said. "We have a good all around pitching staff and that's what you need to be successful in this league."

The Angels scored all the runs they need in the fifth inning. Pinch hitter Reggie Willits' two-out single to right plated Vladimir Guerrero and Gary Matthews and Howie Kendrick followed with an RBI single to give the Angels a 3-0 advantage.

"I was getting a drink of water and the next thing I knew was I was being told to get on deck," Willits said. "I know I just have to be ready at all times. I just went up there trying to get a good pitch to handle and hit the ball hard somewhere."

After allowing six runs over four-plus innings in an 11-5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays last Sunday in his previous start, Schmidt (1-4) received the loss.

"I am feeling better and better every time I go out and pitch," Schmidt said. "I felt good out there, but I ran into some trouble in the fifth inning and they ended up putting runs on the board against me."

The 34-year-old Schmidt pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs and five hits with four walks in his third start since returning from the disabled list on June 5.

"We feel like he is coming around and getting close to pitching like how we know he can," Dodgers manager Grady Little said.

The Dodgers had a season-high four-game winning streak snapped.

"Just have to come out here tomorrow and play hard and try to take the series against our rival," Dodgers catcher Russell Martin said.