Jered Weaver
ByPete Zarustica/Garden Grove Journal
It’s not that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have given up on winning the American League West title. It’s just that, considering the lack of success they’ve had in cutting much into the Texas Rangers’ lead, a more plausible path to the post-season is presenting itself.
This year, there are two wild card spots in the American League, and the prospects for the Halos to make it into the playoffs – or play-ins – are a lot better by that route.
After Monday’s 4-0 win over the Oakland Athletics, the Angels not only leapfrogged back into second place in the ALW, they moved into the second spot in the wild card standings, a half-game behind the Detroit Tigers.
Angel fans will remember that the Halos won their sole American League pennant and World Series title in 2002 by entering the post-season as a wild card.
On Tuesday, though, the 10-4 loss to the A’s reversed the situation and dumped the Halos back into third in the ALW, and fourth in the wild card hunt.
Monday’s win was a big boost to a team that had lost four of five games, several of which were due to blown leads. Jered Weaver gave the bullpen a big rest by pitching a four-hit shutout to boost his record to 15-1, best in the major leagues.
He’s now won nine straight. The team record is 12 consecutive wins, held by Jarrod Washburn in 2002.
“There’s really no answer,” said Weaver about his streak. “Things have been going my way.”
Erick Aybar had three hits for the Halos and Mike Trout stole three bases. He leads the majors with 36 swipes.
The series with the A’s continued Wednesday (results too late for our deadline). The Angels will have today (Thursday) off, and then will open a three-game homestand Friday against the Seattle Mariners.
On Monday they start a three-game set against the Cleveland Indians that runs through Wednesday.
