Down by a run, the Cleveland Indians loaded the bases with none out in the bottom of the ninth, but a groundball by Matt LaPorta to a drawn-in Howie Kendrick at second turned a dire situation into a two-out nail biter. Rookie closer Jordan Walden struck out Jason Kinis to earn his 24th save and preserve Jered Weaver’s 14th and eighth straight win.
The only Angels run came in the seventh when rookie first baseman Mark Trumbo doubled to deep right-center driving in Bobby Abreu and Howie Kendrick. Trumbo’s double was the only extra-base hit by the Halo hitters who managed just four hits off of Indians’ starter Josh Tomlin. The two RBI from Trumbo gives him 48 on the season, one behind team leader Torii Hunter.
Jered Weaver (14-4) improves on his major league leading ERA by allowing one run, a Matt LaPorta home run in the bottom of the seventh, dropping from 1.81 to 1.79. Weaver went 7 innings, allowing five hits, while striking out 5 and walking two.
Tuesday’s win is Weaver’s eighth straight in a span of 10 starts. In those 10 starts dating back to June 3rd, Weaver has compiled a 1.43 ERA in 75.1 innings, striking out 57 and walking 17. The win also gives the Angels 5 wins over their last 7 games, while getting their 11th series win out of their last twelve.