The Oakland Athletics came into Monday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Angels still trying to figure out their offensive identity. Although they had scored 14 runs over their previous two games, they had played with great inconsistency on offense during the previous 20 games. Having to face the best pitcher in baseball right now did not help them solve their problems.
Jered Weaver spun a seven hit shutout as he improved to 6-0 and boosted his MLB lead in several categories. He lowered his ERA to an MLB-leading 0.99 and struck out ten to improve to an MLB-leading 49 strikeouts on the season. In giving up seven hits and one walk he actually boosted his WHIP to 0.79, which is still tied for fourth best in the majors. All in all, it’s hard to say anybody is pitching as well as Jered Weaver.
The A’s fell behind the eight ball fairly quickly in the contest as the Angels jumped on top 2-0 in the third. Gio Gonzalez struggled for the second straight outing, giving up five runs (four earned) over five innings. He kept his walk total down again (one BB), but gave up eight hits as well as the Angels had little trouble making contact all game long.
The A’s did get some offense as Coco Crisp was 3-for-4 and Hideki Matsui was 2-for-4, but they could never get anything significant going as they only got runners to third three times over the course of the evening.
The A’s and Angels return tomorrow night at 7:05pm on CSN California. Brandon McCarthy will face off against Tyler Chatwood as the A’s look to even this three game set at one game apiece.