Angels hit four HRs, Weaver picks up 16th win as Angels crush Indians
If the Angels had to be diverted anywhere during their trip, Progressive Field was the perfect place.
For Jered Weaver, it's as comfortable as home.
Weaver became the AL's first 16-game winner, and the Los Angeles Angels did all their damage against Cleveland's Danny Salazar in one inning for their fifth straight win, 12-3 over the Cleveland Indians on Monday in a makeup game.
Albert Pujols had a three-run homer in the ninth for the Angels, who hit four homers and are a major league-best 88-55.
Weaver (16-8) improved to 7-1 in 11 starts at Cleveland, where he was unbeaten from 2008 until losing earlier this year. The right-hander allowed three runs and six hits in six innings.
"It's always been a park I've enjoyed coming to," Weaver said. "I know the history of the park. I remember as a kid, watching their teams in the mid-90s and they had the sellouts and those good teams. I just like coming here."
Kole Calhoun hit a two-run homer and David Freese had a three-run shot in the fifth off Salazar (6-7), who shut out Detroit last week and had not given up a run in 21 consecutive innings.
Los Angeles has won 20 of 26 and leads the AL West by 7 1/2 games.
Week ahead for Angels: Rangers on road, Astros at home
The Angels were forced to Cleveland on their only scheduled day off during a long trip and were playing a game rained out on June 18.
Manager Mike Scioscia said his team was tired, and Weaver made sure the Angels didn't have to over-exert themselves.
"There were a lot of guys who were soggy today," Scioscia said. "Our regulars have been playing a lot. Obviously, getting in late and getting up for today's game, Weav did d good job. He pitched a good game."
Weaver said it was strange making one stop on the trip.
"It would have been nice for it to be an off day, but it's what you have to go through in a season," he said. "It hasn't happened to us too often. It's nice to come in and get a win."
Lonnie Chisenhall hit a two-run homer and had an RBI single as the Indians, who swept the White Sox over the weekend, had their winning streak stopped at four.
Salazar limited the Angels to two hits through four innings before they teed off in the fifth.
C.J. Cron opened the outburst with a single, went to third on Hank Conger's single and scored when Collin Cowgill grounded out. Calhoun followed by hitting a 2-0 pitch over the wall in right for his 14th homer, giving the Angels a 3-0 lead.
Salazar struck out Mike Trout, and Albert Pujols and Howie Kendrick singled before Freese connected for his seventh homer to make it 6-0.
Weaver handled it from there on a mound that suits him well. The right-hander's lost loss in Cleveland came on June 16, and he's 9-2 in 16 starts since then.
"He commands, changes speeds, he doesn't give in, he's smart," said Indians manager Terry Francona. "He knows your lineup and what he wants to do."
Chisenhall pulled the Indians to 6-2 in the fifth his 13th homer. Cleveland had Weaver reeling in the sixth with a two-out single, walk and Chisenhall's RBI single. But Weaver got out of the jam by retiring Yan Gomes on a fly to deep center with two on.
The Angels tacked on two runs in the seventh and three in the ninth when Pujols hit his 26th homer this season and No. 518 of his career. He's three homers behind matching Hall of Famers Willie McCovey, Frank Thomas and Ted Williams at 521.
RUNNING AMOK
With their 14-4 win at Minnesota on Sunday, the Angels have scored 12 runs in consecutive games for the first time since 2006.
TEXAS TWO-STOP
The Angels began their 10-game trip with two games in Houston -- they lost twice to the Astros -- and they'll finish it will three games at Texas.
ANOTHER NEW GUY
The Angels recalled RHP Jairo Diaz from Double-A Arkansas for an additional arm in the bullpen.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: OF Josh Hamilton's sore right shoulder kept him out of the lineup for the fourth straight game. Hamilton hasn't played since Thursday, when he received a cortisone shot in the AC joint.
It's safe to say the boys are raking. #Angels http://t.co/ogAbdy3LOi
— Angels (@Angels) September 8, 2014
UP NEXT
Angels: Los Angeles ends a 10-gamet rip that began Texas back in the Lone Star State when LHP Hector Santiago (4-7) starts the opener of a three-game set against Rangers RHP Colby Lewis (9-12).
