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 Weaver was ranting and raving in the dugout after a miscommunication
between center fielder Mike Trout and right fielder Kole Calhoun
helped the Detroit Tigers erase a four-run deficit in the third
inning. The Angels then scored two runs in each of the next two
innings and held on for a much-needed 8-7 win over the slumping
Tigers on Tuesday night at Comerica Park.
The miscommunication gifted a double to Detroit center fielder
Anthony Gose as both outfielders backed off the fly ball.
"It wasn't directed toward the guys in the outfield at all," said
Weaver, who got the victory in the opener of a nine-game road swing
despite giving up six runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. "It was
just more of trying to get the guys fired up, trying to get the guys
motivated. I haven't really been vocal this year. It obviously has
not been the way I wanted my season to go. We're in the midst of a
playoff race and we've got to play good baseball to get where we
need to be."
Weaver later apologized to both outfielders and there didn't seem to
be any lingering tension afterward.
"I came in the dugout obviously upset at myself," Trout said. "I
knew he was yelling, I didn't know what he was yelling at. Yeah, we
talked about it. It's just emotions were high in that inning. We had
a 4-0 lead and they scored four runs after that, it was definitely a
game-changer. He was just trying to fire us up. We're in that
position right now where we need to be energetic and get fired up a
little bit."
Angels first baseman Albert Pujols ripped his team-leading 34th home
run in the first inning, a three-run blast. Shortstop Erick Aybar
contributed three hits, two runs scored and an RBI for Los Angeles
(64-61), which had lost 12 of its last 13 road games.
Huston Street recorded the last four outs for his 30th save. Angels
relievers held the Tigers to one run in the last 3 1/3 innings.
"I don't think anything's ever going to come easy," Angels manager
Mike Scioscia said. "Our bullpen, I can't say enough about them.
Those guys are stretched out. To get three outs from Joe (Smith) and
four outs from Huston, that was important tonight and those guys
made it happen."
Designated hitter Miguel Cabrera, who extended his hitting streak to
10 games, led Detroit's attack with three hits, including a
three-run double. Catcher James McCann added a two-run homer for the
Tigers (59-66), who have lost five in a row.
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Tigers starter Alfredo Simon (11-8) gave up eight runs on nine hits
in 4 1/3 innings. He uncorked three wild pitches, each of which
allowed a run to score. Simon pitched a one-hit shutout against
Texas in his previous outing.
"He had trouble throwing strikes, trouble getting ahead of guys,"
Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. "It was kind of a 180 from his
last outing. His control came and went. Part of that was he and Mac
at times were having trouble getting on the same page, which slows
the pace down."
Ausmus' much-maligned bullpen did not allow a run in the final 4 2/3
innings but it went for naught.
"The bullpen did a nice job," he said. "I'd like to put it all
together on the same day, though, where the starter does a good job,
the bullpen has a good night and we hit. Right now, none of those
three aren't syncing up."
NOTES: Angels 2B Johnny Giavotella was placed on the 15-day disabled
list, retroactive to Friday, and RHP Drew Rucinski was recalled from
Triple-A Salt Lake. Giavotella has a personal medical condition,
according to the club. Rucinski, who has appeared in three games
with the Angels this season, is 5-6 with a 5.68 ERA in 20 starts
with Salt Lake. ... Tigers 2B Ian Kinsler was not in the starting
lineup as manager Brad Ausmus opted to rest him. Kinsler, who has a
seven-game hitting streak, is batting .385 since July 2. "If anyone
deserves a day off, it's him," Ausmus said. ... Detroit was 0-54
when trailing after eight innings. ... The Angels were averaging 2.5
runs in 13 road games since the All-Star break. ... Tigers RHP
Justin Verlander, who is 0-2 in his last three starts despite
allowing just one earned run, opposes Angels LHP Hector Santiago on
Wednesday.
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