Weaver, Bullpen Solid as Angels Roll in Victory Over Astros

Thanks in large part to the bat of Chris Iannetta, local boy turned staff Ace, Jered Weaver, became the fifth American League pitcher since 1910 to record 10 wins in each of his first eight seasons. The Weave has also never had a losing season since becoming a cog in the rotation in 2006. Say what you will about pitcher wins (I say they are silly), they are a slice of Americana, and our lead horse has etched his name into a little bit of that.

Speaking of Iannetta, five home runs now in his last 11 starts. He also added an RBI single in the Angels three-run fourth for good measure. That fourth inning also saw Howie Kendrick drive in Mike Trout with an RBI double. Kendrick then came around to score on Kole Calhoun‘s RBI double. Believe, you must believe in the power of the ginger. The Angels added a couple more runs in the seventh and ninth innings. Both times while J.B. Shuck was batting. Both runs scored by Grant Green. Hmmmmmmm. Coincidence? I think not.

The Astros weren’t completely futile though. Brett Wallace touched up Weaver with a two-run home run in the fourth inning, but that was all that Angels pitching would allow tonight. One night after Cory Rasmus gave up a game-altering grand slam, the bullpen corps of Michael Kohn, Dane De La Rosa and J.C. Gutierrez teamed up to throw three scoreless innings to close out the game and secure an elusive victory against the juggernaut Astros. What’s that? The Astros are terrible? Someone may want to let our boys know.

The rubber match is tomorrow with the Angels sending Jerome Williams to the mound against Paul Clemens. Game time is at 11:10 PM PST. So get up, drink some coffee, eat a donut, and sit down for some baseball. Light up the halo, the Angels beat the Astros. I know, I know, I don’t really believe it either.