(Sports Network) - Jered Weaver goes after his 10th straight win this
afternoon when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim play the rubber match of
their three-game series with the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium.
Weaver won his ninth consecutive win and 10th straight decision on Monday, as
he tossed a four-hit shutout to beat Oakland.
"There's really no answer," Weaver said of his run. "Things have been going my
way."
The AL Cy Young Award front-runner is first in the majors in ERA (2.13) and
tied for first in wins (15). He also leads the big leagues in both WHIP (0.92)
and batting average against (.197).
Weaver has been lights-out all season, but he's been practically unhittable at
home, going 8-0 in nine starts at Angels Stadium with a microscopic 0.92 ERA.
Seattle, meanwhile, will counter with an equally impressive hurler in Jason
Vargas, who is in the midst of a career year with a 12-8 record and a 3.69
ERA.
The southpaw was fantastic in July, winning the American League Pitcher of the
Month by going 5-0 with a 1.64 ERA in six starts. His August got off to a good
start as well, allowing three earned runs over eight innings pitched on Aug.
6, but earned the hard-luck loss to the Orioles, 3-1.
It was his first loss since June 20.
The Angels are one of the few teams Vargas has struggled against this season,
going 1-1 with a 4.97 ERA in two starts against the Halos.
Seattle managed to even up this series on Saturday night by claiming a 7-4
victory.
The Mariners scored all seven of their runs in the first four innings, and the
commanding seven-run deficit was too much for the Angels to overcome.
Dustin Ackley and John Jaso did the majority of the damage for the away team,
belting two hits and two RBI apiece.
Hisashi Iwakuma (3-3) was impressive in the win, pitching seven strong innings
allowing six hits, one walk, and three earned runs.
For the Angels, Dan Haren (8-9) struggled once again, lasting just 3 1/3
innings while allowing five hits, three walks, and seven runs (five earned).
It marks the seventh time this season Haren has allowed five earned runs or
more, and his ERA now sits at an uncharacteristic 4.68.
"Haren's no different than any other pitcher -- you want to get to him early
and get to the bullpen," Mariners left fielder Trayvon Robinson said, who
added a pair of hits and an RBI single.
Kendrys Morales and Vernon Wells both homered for the Halos, who fell to seven
games back of the American League West-leading Rangers.
LA has taken six of nine over Seattle so far this season.
The Sports Network