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Angels, Jays continue set at the Big A

Aug 3, 2013 - 1:40 PM (Sports Network) - The LA Angels of Anaheim will try to earn their third straight win against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday in the third portion of this weekend's four-game series at Angel Stadium.

Garrett Richards pitched seven strong innings and allowed just two runs to power the Angels to a win in Thursday's series opener.

On Friday, the Angels got in the win column again with a 7-5 victory thanks to some clutch hitting in the eighth inning.

Trailing 5-4 in the frame, J.B. Shuck ripped an RBI triple to right field to tie the game. Two batters later, Kole Calhoun hit a home run to right field and gave the Angels the lead for good.

Calhoun went 4-for-5 in the contest. Dane De LA Rosa pitched a scoreless top of the eighth inning to earn the win and Ernesto Frieri struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth to collect his 26th save.

Steve Delabar was responsible for the loss for Toronto as he gave up three runs on three hits in his lone inning of work. Jose Reyes went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI to lead the Blue Jays offensively.

Esmil Rogers will get the start in the third game of this series on Saturday.

Rogers began the season in the bullpen for the Blue Jays but after making his first start of the season on June 13, he has been a steady force in the rotation.

The right-hander has made 11 starts total this season but has pitched in 34 games total. Overall, he is 3-5 with a 4.36 ERA. As a starter, Rogers is 2-3 with a 4.43 ERA compared to a 1-2 mark and 4.23 ERA in relief.

Rogers had a start to forget his last time out. In a 9-4 loss to Oakland, Rogers was lit up for eight runs on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings of work. Rogers has allowed 10 or more hits in three of his last five outings.

Though he has not pitched against the Angels this season, Rogers does have some experience against them. In four relief appearances, Rogers owns a 10.13 ERA against Los Angeles.

The Angels will counter with ace Jered Weaver, who has been pitching at an extremely high level of late.

In his last start against Texas earlier this week, Weaver was sensational in allowing just one run on five hits over seven innings of work. Unfortunately, Weaver did not factor in the decision. Weaver has allowed one or fewer runs in six of his last seven games pitched. He has also won four of the last five decisions.

Despite being slowed by injury earlier in the season, Weaver has continued to be one of the best pitchers in baseball this season. Though at 5-5 his record is off the pace of his 20-victory effort from a year ago, Weaver still owns an impressive 2.84 ERA and is striking out 7.4 batters per nine innings which is right in line with his career average (7.6).

Weaver has not faced Toronto this season and in his career owns a 4-2 record with a 3.93 ERA in eight total starts.

This is the first series between these clubs this season.