SEATTLE – In his last four starts, Jered Weaver's performances look pretty average: six innings and three or four runs allowed. Certainly not dynamic numbers, but not awful either.
When they come after Weaver started the season with six brilliant starts, the last four — all losses — look worse.
"When you get off to a roll like that, everybody expects you to keep it going. We've had some rough ones here lately, not too rough, it hasn't been too bad. Nothing to hang my head about, but I haven't got deep into games like I wanted," Weaver said. "I'm having a bad month. It's bound to turn around."
Weaver lost his fourth straight start Wednesday night, bested by former college teammate Jason Vargas in the Seattle Mariners' 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Weaver sprinted to a 6-0 start to begin the season, then hit a wall of losses that continued Wednesday, although the Angels' struggling offense didn't help. Los Angeles has gone 21 innings without scoring.
Again, Weaver wasn't bad. He lasted six innings and gave up three runs and seven hits. But for a fourth straight start, it wasn't enough as he failed to become the first pitcher in baseball to reach seven wins.
"Even when he struggles a little bit, he has shown that he can keep us in ballgames," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We just didn't support him offensively."
The Angels' scuffling offense has gone 21 innings without scoring and were shut out in consecutive games for the second time this season.
They threatened in the first inning but Vargas struck out Howie Kendrick with Erick Aybar at third to end the inning.
Los Angeles missed another chance in the second when Peter Bourjos struck out looking with Mark Trumbo at second. From there, Vargas was brilliant, not allowing another runner past first base.
The Angels got one more chance in the eighth after Vargas left. Jamey Wright allowed two walks and Alberto Callaspo's infield single to load the bases with two outs. He fell behind pinch-hitter Hank Conger 2-0 then got him looking at a 3-2 pitch on the inside corner.
When they come after Weaver started the season with six brilliant starts, the last four — all losses — look worse.
"When you get off to a roll like that, everybody expects you to keep it going. We've had some rough ones here lately, not too rough, it hasn't been too bad. Nothing to hang my head about, but I haven't got deep into games like I wanted," Weaver said. "I'm having a bad month. It's bound to turn around."
Weaver lost his fourth straight start Wednesday night, bested by former college teammate Jason Vargas in the Seattle Mariners' 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Weaver sprinted to a 6-0 start to begin the season, then hit a wall of losses that continued Wednesday, although the Angels' struggling offense didn't help. Los Angeles has gone 21 innings without scoring.
Again, Weaver wasn't bad. He lasted six innings and gave up three runs and seven hits. But for a fourth straight start, it wasn't enough as he failed to become the first pitcher in baseball to reach seven wins.
"Even when he struggles a little bit, he has shown that he can keep us in ballgames," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We just didn't support him offensively."
The Angels' scuffling offense has gone 21 innings without scoring and were shut out in consecutive games for the second time this season.
They threatened in the first inning but Vargas struck out Howie Kendrick with Erick Aybar at third to end the inning.
Los Angeles missed another chance in the second when Peter Bourjos struck out looking with Mark Trumbo at second. From there, Vargas was brilliant, not allowing another runner past first base.
The Angels got one more chance in the eighth after Vargas left. Jamey Wright allowed two walks and Alberto Callaspo's infield single to load the bases with two outs. He fell behind pinch-hitter Hank Conger 2-0 then got him looking at a 3-2 pitch on the inside corner.
