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Angels Eliminated From American League West With Loss To A's

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ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 23:  Starting pitcher Jered Weaver #36 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim walks to the dugout after being relieved in the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics on September 23, 2011 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.  (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Angels trail the Boston Red Sox by three and a half games in the American League wild card race with five games to play.

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Update

Angels Vs. Athletics: 3-1 Loss Shifts Halos' Focus To Wild Card

Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Jemile Weeks and David DeJesus both homered off Los Angeles ace Jered Weaver, and the Oakland Athletics spoiled the Angels' faint hopes for a division title with a 3-1 win. The loss by the Angels, who failed to score after loading the bases in the eighth, secured Texas' second straight AL West crown. They also fell 3 1/2 games behind the wild card-leading Boston Red Sox with five games to play.

Gio Gonzalez (15-12) outdueled Weaver (18-8), allowing one run and three hits over 7 1/3 innings, and received immediate support from Weeks, who led off the game by sending Weaver's third pitch over the right-field wall. "Jemile's leadoff homer set the tone right off the bat," Gonzalez said. "I did my best to keep us in the game. I was extremely focused and wanted to pound the strike zone."

The Angels tied the game in the seventh when Torii Hunter smashed his 22nd home run of the season to right-center. But Oakland quickly retook the lead in its next at-bat. Kurt Suzuki singled leading off the eighth and Scott Sizemore bunted him into scoring position. A wild pitch by Weaver moved Suzuki to third and he scored the go-ahead run when Weeks' grounder couldn't be fielded cleanly by Los Angeles third baseman Maicer Izturis.

DeJesus provided insurance by going deep with one gone in the ninth, the final batter Weaver faced.

"Jered pitched well and gave us a chance to win," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia.

Weaver gave up six hits and fanned eight without issuing a walk.

Game Notes

Oakland is 10-7 against the Angels this year...Both teams were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position...Andrew Bailey picked up his 22nd save.

For more news and information on the Angels, be sure to read Halos Heaven.

Original Story

Jered Weaver Opens Must-Win Homestand For Angels Against A's

The Los Angeles Angels open their must-win homestand on Friday night, with Jered Weaver on the mound facing the Oakland Athletics in the opener of a three-game weekend series. The Angels trail the Boston Red Sox by three games in the American League wild card race with six games to play. They are also five games back of the Texas Rangers in the American League West, but that seems like more of a pipe dream at this point.

Weaver has a shot at 20 victories this season, as he is 18-7 with a 2.41 ERA so far this season.  There have only been seven 20-win seasons in the 51-year history of the Angels, with Bartolo Colon's 21-8 2005 season the only one in the last 37 years. Weaver has allowed four runs in 21 innings over his last three starts.

Weaver is 8-1 with a 1.81 ERA in Anaheim this season, and the Angels are 12-2 in those 14 starts.

Gio Gonzalez starts for Oakland on Friday night. Gonzalez is 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA in four starts against the Angels this season.

Friday night's 7:05 p.m. PDT game will be televised on Fox Sports West. For more news and information on the Angels, be sure to read Halos Heaven.

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