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LA Angels Jered Weaver turns back the clock for a day.

By David Rice

Sep 11, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver (36) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver (36) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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When LA Angels veteran right-hander Jered Weaver took the mound on Sunday afternoon at Angel Stadium he knew his time in Anaheim may be running short. When Weaver exited after 6.2 innings he did so to a standing ovation.

Weaver gave LA Angels fans a trip down memory lane to a time when he was one of the most dominant pitchers in the American League.  In the first inning Weaver struck out two of the first three batters he faced.  Adrian Beltre lead off the second inning or the Rangers and gave up a patented home run ball that he has been known for throughout his career. Weaver came back and sent the Rangers down in order after that. In the bottom of the second Andrelton Simmons gave the Angels back the lead 2-1 with his second homer of the season.

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Weaver followed up with a shut down inning only giving up a walk in retiring the side in the third and then struck out two more batters in the fourth after an Adrian Beltre single.  Then again in the fifth inning Weaver struck out two more batters including Carlos Gomez to end the inning. In the sixth inning Weaver again looked strong getting the first two batters on three pitches, but then that old bug-a-boo reared its ugly head as Beltre again touched Weaver for another solo homer tying the game at 2.

However, Simmons again gave Weaver the lead back hitting his second solo homer of the game putting the Angels back on top 3-2.  Weaver took the mound one final time retiring the first two batters easily before walking pinch hitter Joey Gallo on a 3-2 pitch his 100th of the game.  Angels manager Mike Scioscia came out to the mound to take the ball and in typical Weaver fashion he glared at Scioscia as if to say just give me the damn ball and I will l get out this.  However, Scioscia called for reliever Mike Morin. The crowd rose to its feet knowing that they had just witnessed a special performance from Weaver, and the 6’7 doffed his cap to acknowledge the fans and then retreated to the dugout to watch Morin hopefully retire pinch-hitter Carlos Beltran. Morin obliged getting Beltran swinging on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning.

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JC Ramirez came on in the eighth and promptly gave up a single to right by Carlos Gomez.  However, Ramirez responded by picking Gomez off first base for the first out then he proceeded to strike out the next two batters including a 100 MPH fastball to strike Rougned Odor to end the inning.

On came new closer Andrew Bailey who shut the door on Rangers in the ninth retiring the side in order, including getting Beltre to fly out to right, which was the first time he had been retired all game.  The final out came on a strike out of Nomar Mazara on a called third strike capping a near-perfect afternoon by Angels pitchers that gave Weaver his 11th win of the season which brought him back to .500 at 11-11.

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Weaver’s final line was 6.2 innings pitched giving up four hits and two earned runs, walking two and striking out eight, which was a season high.  Bailey picked up his third save in as many attempts and is starting to look like the closer of old when he was with the Oakland A’s before he hurt his arm.  Simmons’ two home runs tripled his season output and Yunel Escobar also went deep for his fourth of the season.

However the day belonged to Weaver and hopefully it will not be the last stellar performance in his illustrious career.  The next two weeks will tell the story.

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