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Weaver shuts down White Sox

Jun 7, 2014 - 6:01 AM Anaheim, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Jered Weaver struck out nine and got plenty of run support in his six innings of work as the Los Angeles Angels opened a six-game homestand with an 8-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday.

Albert Pujols and Kole Calhoun both hit solo home runs for the Angels, with the latter also driving in three runs in total and scoring twice. Eight different Angels scored a run.

Weaver (7-4) struggled with his control, yielding five hits and four walks but was charged with just two runs. He has won seven of his last nine decisions after opening the season with consecutive losses.

"I was battling to make pitches when I needed to," said Weaver. "My curveball was pretty sharp. It was a good pitch against that lineup. The story tonight was our offense. It took the pressure off of me."

The loss spoiled Adam Dunn's 450th career home run, a towering two-run shot to right field in the ninth inning with the game well in hand. Dunn went 3-for-5 and drove in three, while Alejandro De Aza hit his fifth homer of the season in the setback.

Andre Rienzo (4-3) was blitzed for seven runs on nine hits in just 3 2/3 forgettable frames for Chicago.

"Andre just couldn't stop them, said White Sox manager Robin Ventura. "We had opportunities but Weaver kept us off-balance. He has a deceptive delivery. He makes it tough, especially against righties."

Calhoun opened the home half of the first with a 401 foot homer to right field. Mike Trout then singled and stole second for Josh Hamilton, who doubled to right for an early 2-0 advantage.

Chicago got a run back in the third on De Aza's solo shot to right. Weaver later walked a pair after Adrian Nieto's single to load the bases, but Dunn struck out looking to end the threat.

LA broke the game open with a five-run, two-out rally in the fourth. Hamilton and David Freese singled around groundouts, but C.J. Cron kept the inning alive with a two-run double to left. Hank Conger then singled home Cron, Grant Green singled and Calhoun drove in two more with a two-bagger to right.

Dunn's RBI single in the fifth and Pujols' solo blast in the eighth set the table for Dunn's two-run moonshot off Ernesto Frieri which resulted in the final tally.

Game Notes

Weaver improved to 8-2 in 11 career starts against the White Sox ... The Angels have won seven of nine at home ... Chicago finished 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left 12 on base.