The Los Angeles Angels have kicked off their four-game home series against the Oakland Athletics on the right foot, looking like the team that many expected them to be. The Halos picked up the 6-0 win behind a terrific performance by ace Jered Weaver, one that featured the pitcher picking up the 1,000th strikeout of his career.
The Angels struck first in the bottom of the first inning, as Kendrys Morales blasted his first home run of the year, a three-run shot that plated Howie Kendrick and Albert Pujols.
Weaver kept the score at 3-0 until the bottom of the eighth inning, when Los Angeles put together another three-run rally. Pujols and Morales led off the inning with back-to-back doubles to make it 4-0. A's reliever Andrew Carignan then walked in a run with the bases loaded and immediately threw a wild pitch to bring the sixth Angels run home.
LaTroy Hawkins led into some problems in the top of the ninth, letting the A's load the bases with two out, but struck out Jemile Weeks swinging to end the game and light up the halo.
Weaver didn't allow an A's hit until the fourth inning, and his leadoff walk to Weeks in the sixth was just his second walk of the season. Weaver ended up going 6.2 innings, giving up just five hits and getting six strikeouts. He is now 2-0 with w 2,18 ERA.
Morales had a fantastic game, going 3-for-4 with four RBI. Pujols and Torii Hunter each picked up two hits in the game.
For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Angels, please visit Halos Heaven. For updates and perspective regarding the Oakland A's, head on over to Athletics Nation or check out SB Nation Bay Area.
