Weaver bests Verlander, Hunter homers in Angels’ 4-2 win over Tigers

Weaver bests Verlander in Angels’ win over Tigers

DETROIT — Jered Weaver allowed three hits over seven innings to best Justin Verlander, Torii Hunter hit a two-run homer and tossed a bag of baseballs onto the field after being ejected, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Detroit Tigers 4-2 on Friday night.

Brennan Boesch hit a home run for Detroit, which is 5-18 since the All-Star Break.

Weaver (11-7) allowed one earned run and fanned nine to run his AL-leading total to 171.

Former Tiger Fernando Rodney pitched the eighth and Brian Fuentes the ninth for his 21st save in 25 chances.

Weaver worked out of a two on, none out jam in the second after he walked leadoff man Miguel Cabrera and Jhonny Peralta singled. Weaver struck out Johnny Damon swinging, got Brandon Inge to pop out and induced Alex Avila to hit a checked-swing grounder.

Hunter and Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia were ejected in the eighth inning after Hunter was called out on strikes. Hunter threw a ball bag onto the field from the dugout.

Verlander (12-7) gave up four runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out two.

Hunter’s two-run homer in the first gave Los Angeles a 2-0 lead. With one out, he drove Verlander’s 0-2 pitch off the flag pole well beyond the left-center field fence for his 18th home run. It was estimated at 435 feet.

The Angels made it 4-0 with two more in the second on Howie Kendrick’s RBI double and Peter Bourjos’ run-scoring grounder.

Boesch’s two-out, solo home run in the third put Detroit on the scoreboard. His towering drive down the right-field line deep into the stands was Boesch’s 13th homer and first since June 27. It was estimated at 407 feet.

The Tigers pulled to 4-2 on second baseman Macir Izturis’ throwing error as he attempted to complete a double play on Damon’s grounder in the fourth. Izturis’ throw to first was wild, allowing Cabrera to score from second.

NOTE: Both managers shook up their lineups at the top of the batting order. Los Angeles’ Mike Scioscia moved LF Bobby Abreu, who had been the No. 3 hitter, into the leadoff spot and Detroit’s Jim Leyland moved RF Boesch from the middle of the order to second and DH Damon, who has batted second or third, hit seventh. Boesch was 2 for 4 and is 10 for 84 (.119) in his last 22 games. Boesch was also picked off first in the fifth but made a diving catch on Kendrick’s foul fly in the sixth. … Damon’s foul line drive into the Tigers dugout in the fourth hit C Avila, who was standing on the steps, and knocked him down. Avila wasn’t injured. … Tigers’ owner Mike Ilitch said that he would be bringing back both GM Dave Dombrowski and Leyland back for next season at a Detroit Red Wings’ press conference, to announce the signing of Mike Modano . … Detroit promoted David Chadd to vice president amateur scouting/special assistant to the general manager, Scott Pleis to director amateur scouting and Mike Rojas to director player development.