The Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins are set to play the second game of their weekend series at Target Field
Los Angeles Angels at Minnesota Twins
Los Angeles scored six runs in the final two innings Friday night to come away with a 6-5 road win over Minnesota at Target Field. The Angels came in having dropped five straight road contests and scoring just one run in the last 30 innings way from Angel Stadium. Outfielder Peter Bourjos served as the catalyst, making two sensational catches in the field, while also tripling to left center to score the game’s winning run in the ninth. “There’s just something about this place,” said Bourjos. “It’s a great field, it’s always packed. It’s a great environment to play the game.” The club dropped three of four when facing the Twins on their home field during the 2010 campaign. Los Angeles is 18-16 versus right-handed starters.
Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver is 6-4 with a 2.35 ERA in 11 starts this season and looks to snap a four-game losing streak. It’s certainly been a tale of two seasons for the right-hander after starting the year with a perfect 6-0 mark. He is 0-4 with a 4.35 ERA in his past five outings. “I think I just got off to too good of a start, so expectations are hight. I guess I’m back to being a normal pitcher,” Weaver commented. The right-hander will be making his eight road start of the year, bringing in a 4-3 mark and 2.68 ERA, allowing opponents to hit just .199 against him. In eight career outings versus the Twins, Weaver has compiled a 4-2 record and 3.91 ERA.
Minnesota has dropped 11 of 12 at Target Field and 21 of 28 overall after last night’s collapse in the later innings. “We made too many mistakes along the way. It should have been an eight or nine-run game as far as I was concerned,” said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire.” No lead is safe for the Twins at this time due to a bullpen that has registered a 12.21 ERA over the last six games. Through 49 games this season, the club’s relievers have allowed 49 runs in the eighth inning. Minnesota is 11-25 versus right-handed starters and 9-19 in night games this season.
Twins starting pitcher Anthony Swarzak will make his fourth appearance (second start) of the season due to scheduled starter Francisco Liriano being scratched with a sore left shoulder late Friday. The right-hander went 5 1/3 innings and allowed five runs on eight hits against the Rays April 28 in his first start of the year. Swarzak has compiled a career record of 3-9 with a 6.41 ERA in 15 Major League appearances (13 starts). Two of those starts have come against the Angels, producing an even 1-1 mark and 4.66 ERA.
Bettors may elect to back the Twins in this contest due to their 5-2 mark in the last seven meetings, while the Angels are 1-7 following a win.
