Minnesota Takes The Series From a Struggling LA Angels Team

Major League Baseball's strikeout leader Jered Weaver has been the only pitcher to deliver on expectations this season for the struggling Los Angeles Angels, as the halos headed into the rubber match in Minnesota against the Twins' Scott Baker on Sunday.

With more than seven games to make up against division leader Texas Rangers, the Angels would need another repeat performance on a nationally televised spotlight to avoid further damage to the slimming possibility of a playoff run.

Second inning doubles by Hideki Matsui for the Angels and Jim Thome of the Twins brought extra base hits for each club, but no runs as the pitchers maintained order.

A tailor-made double play ended the top of the third for Los Angeles. Joe Mauer also hit into double action on a Weaver slider down in the zone. Pitchers duel prevailed through the third frame of a scoreless contest.

Matsui dropped his second hit of the game with two outs in the fourth pushed to second base on an Erick Aybar bunt down the third base line. A Mike Napoli flyout ended the inning and the threat.

Weaver took the mound again in the fifth and watched the first pitch of the inning fly out for Danny Valencia, just his second of his career, 1-0 Twins on a 426-foot solo shot. A two-out triple by Orlando Hudson put him on base for the third time in the game. Back to back walks loaded the bases with only one out. After five foul balls, Michael Cuddyer drove in three and was tagged out, 4-0 Twins.

Scott Baker with runs to work with, retired the side in order as Weaver threw a show of disgust with his performance throwing his glove down without long to rest before resuming the mound and striking out Jim Thome, popping out Young and Mauer.

Needing runs badly, the Angels sent up Erick Aybar who walked, moved to second on fielder's choice by Napoli, strikeout by Mathis, and ground out by Bourjos.

Scot Shields (5.90 ERA, 39 innings) took over for Weaver to start the seventh inning.  Eight pitches put down the Twins in order.

Jessie Crain (2.75 ERA, 52 innings) relieved Scott Baker's best start of his career against the Angels. Crain gave up a full count base hit to Alberto Callaspo, his second of the night hitting over .330 as an Angel.

A loss adds a game to the lead for Texas in the AL West.