Weaver Allows Four Home Runs as Angels Lose to Astros, 7-4

A three-run ninth inning wasn’t enough to mask Jered Weaver’s poor outing Sunday. The Angels’ ace hit Astros leadoff man Jonathan Villar and things only got worse from there.

Weaver struggled throughout the day, allowing a career-high four solo home runs in a 7-4 loss at Minute Maid Park. Apart from the homers, Astros batters seldom found themselves on base reaching on a single and Villar’s HBP. Still, it was Weaver’s second straight uninspired performance.

Jason Castro put Houston on the board early with a two-run bomb to center field. Matt Dominguez, Jesus Guzman, and Alex Presley followed with solo shots off Weaver, who lasted 5 2/3 innings. Weaver is the first Angels starter to give up four home runs on five hits or less since Scot Shields did so in Sept. 2003.

Astros right-hander Scott Feldman kept Angels hitter off balance through seven innings. Erick Aybar got the sole RBI off Feldman on a soft grounder that scored Howie Kendrick from third. A Halo offense that scored 16 run in the previous two games could only muster three hits off the Astros starter, leaving six runners on base.

Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton reached base to lead off the ninth inning and scored on Raul Ibanez’ single to left field. Kendrick followed with a single of his own, putting Ibanez in scoring position.

Aybar’s RBI single cut the lead to 7-4 and brought the tying run to the plate. Unfortunately, Astros reliever Chad Qualls made Kole Calhoun chase a 1-2 slider in the dirt that ended the rally.