Tampa Bay Rays vs Los Angeles Angels MLB Live Streaming Online Baseball Radio Commentary Internet Video Feed Espn 360 Gamecast Experts Review Broadcast June 8, 2011. While he's been successful against Tampa Bay during his career, the Los Angeles Angels' Jered Weaver could have a challenge in his next matchup with the Rays.
Weaver might not get much help from his team's anemic offense as he tries to gain a share of the major league's wins lead Wednesday night.
Weaver (7-4, 2.14 ERA) is 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA in six career starts against Tampa Bay (32-29) and has seemed to regain the form he showed during the season's first month. The right-hander had a 0.99 ERA while winning his first six starts but was 0-4 with a 5.25 ERA over his next four.
Weaver snapped his string of six consecutive winless outings Friday as he allowed two runs and three hits over seven innings of a 3-2 win against the New York Yankees.
The three runs matched the most support he's received in seven starts and that doesn't look like it will change Wednesday. Even with a healthier lineup, Los Angeles (30-33) has scored 13 runs during a 1-6 stretch and the return of Vernon Wells from a groin injury didn't provide much of a spark.
The outfielder went 0 for 3 in his first game since May 9 and his team managed seven hits in Tuesday's 4-1 defeat. The Angels have scored three runs or fewer in 18 of their last 31 games, including each of the past seven.
"It's just a matter of relaxing and trying not to force the issue, just let some things come to us," said Wells, batting .179 this season. "Even though it's frustrating, guys are battling. You've got to battle your way through periods like this and get back to where we were."
The Rays, meanwhile, got two doubles and a triple from Johnny Damon during their third win in four games. Tampa Bay has also prevailed in six of seven in Anaheim after losing 41 of its first 55 games there.
To earn another win there, the Rays might need James Shields (5-4, 2.77) to end his recent struggles. After starting the season 4-1 with a 2.08 ERA, the right-hander is 1/3 with a 4.33 ERA in his last four outings and was tagged for a season-worst eight runs over four innings during Thursday's 8-2 loss in Seattle.
"That one I did not see coming," manager Joe Maddon said. "He's been so money."
Shields was just that against Los Angeles on April 30, when he gave up one run and six hits over eight innings. However, he didn't earn the win in a 2-1 victory.
Shields is 4-2 with a 2.58 ERA in his last seven starts against the Angels and gave up three runs over six innings during a 4-3 win in Anaheim on Aug. 23.
Damon, batting .340 over his last 25 games, is three doubles shy of joining an exclusive club. He's trying to become the 11th player with at least 500 doubles, 100 triples, 200 homers and 2,500 hits. The other 10 are in the Hall of Fame.
Damon has also reached base safely in 33 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the majors.
10:05 PM ET, June 8, 2011
Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
Injury Report
Tampa Bay
* Evan Longoria 3B - Jun 7: Day-To-Day
* B.J. Upton CF - Jun 6: Day-To-Day
* Elliot Johnson SS - Jun 4: 15-Day DL
* Casey Kotchman 1B - Jun 4: Day-To-Day
Los Angeles
* Vernon Wells LF - Jun 7: 15-Day DL
* Dan Haren SP - Jun 5: Day-To-Day
* Scott Kazmir SP - Jun 4: 15-Day DL
Weaver might not get much help from his team's anemic offense as he tries to gain a share of the major league's wins lead Wednesday night.
Weaver (7-4, 2.14 ERA) is 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA in six career starts against Tampa Bay (32-29) and has seemed to regain the form he showed during the season's first month. The right-hander had a 0.99 ERA while winning his first six starts but was 0-4 with a 5.25 ERA over his next four.
Weaver snapped his string of six consecutive winless outings Friday as he allowed two runs and three hits over seven innings of a 3-2 win against the New York Yankees.
The three runs matched the most support he's received in seven starts and that doesn't look like it will change Wednesday. Even with a healthier lineup, Los Angeles (30-33) has scored 13 runs during a 1-6 stretch and the return of Vernon Wells from a groin injury didn't provide much of a spark.
The outfielder went 0 for 3 in his first game since May 9 and his team managed seven hits in Tuesday's 4-1 defeat. The Angels have scored three runs or fewer in 18 of their last 31 games, including each of the past seven.
"It's just a matter of relaxing and trying not to force the issue, just let some things come to us," said Wells, batting .179 this season. "Even though it's frustrating, guys are battling. You've got to battle your way through periods like this and get back to where we were."
The Rays, meanwhile, got two doubles and a triple from Johnny Damon during their third win in four games. Tampa Bay has also prevailed in six of seven in Anaheim after losing 41 of its first 55 games there.
To earn another win there, the Rays might need James Shields (5-4, 2.77) to end his recent struggles. After starting the season 4-1 with a 2.08 ERA, the right-hander is 1/3 with a 4.33 ERA in his last four outings and was tagged for a season-worst eight runs over four innings during Thursday's 8-2 loss in Seattle.
"That one I did not see coming," manager Joe Maddon said. "He's been so money."
Shields was just that against Los Angeles on April 30, when he gave up one run and six hits over eight innings. However, he didn't earn the win in a 2-1 victory.
Shields is 4-2 with a 2.58 ERA in his last seven starts against the Angels and gave up three runs over six innings during a 4-3 win in Anaheim on Aug. 23.
Damon, batting .340 over his last 25 games, is three doubles shy of joining an exclusive club. He's trying to become the 11th player with at least 500 doubles, 100 triples, 200 homers and 2,500 hits. The other 10 are in the Hall of Fame.
Damon has also reached base safely in 33 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the majors.
