An RBI groundout by Torii Hunter in the eighth inning gave the Angels a 2-1 in over the Marlins in the opener of a three-game series in Miami. Jered Weaver and Anibal Sanchez were locked in a pitchers' duel for seven innings, each allowing a single run. The loss was the 11th straight for the Marlins, who are 1-19 in their last 20 games.
The only thing older than the 80-year old McKeon is Mother Nature, who made life difficult in Miami on Monday. The start of the game was delayed by an hour and 40 minutes, not starting until 8:50 p.m. local time. But that didn't stop both starting pitchers from putting on a show. Sanchez allowed only an unearned run in his seven innings of work, striking out eight.
Weaver threw 121 pitches in his seven innings, the third straight start and fourth game of his last five that he has topped the 120-pitch plateau. Weaver has thrown at least 104 pitches in every start this season, averaging 116 per start, while topping out at 128 twice. Weaver has allowed seven runs in his last six starts, and is 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA during that span.
Hunter drove in both runs for the Angels, giving him 41 RBI in interleague play since 2009, the most in MLB during that span. Jordan Walden pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his 17th save of the season. The Angels are 5-2 in the first seven games of their 12-game road trip.
For more news and information on the Angels, or on tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Halos Heaven.