Weaver's complete game shutout shows he's starting to regain 2014 form

By foxsports
Published

Chris Carter looked at strike three from Jered Weaver and appeared a little off guard. He wasn't alone. Many of the 40,006 in attendance at Angel Stadium on Friday night were, too.

Weaver's fastball traveled 89 mph for a called strike three, sealing a 2-0 win for the Angels.

For most big league pitchers, touching 89 mph is far from a big deal.

For Weaver, it was huge.

Not only was Weaver able to get his season back on track Friday night, he reclaimed his velocity and went the distance, literally, recording his first complete game shutout since 2012.

Just five days earlier in San Francisco, the Angels' ace gave up five runs on 10 hits and never got his fastball never above 86 mph.

Entering Friday, Weaver was averaging 84 mph on his fastball. So, 89 definitely is a big deal. More importantly, he was able to keep his fastball around 86 mph throughout the night, which is closer to his average last season. But velocity is now what's most important to Weaver. 

"I was happy to get people out," Weaver said, who allowed six hits, and struck out six while not walking any. "I don't care about velocity." 

Manager Mike Scioscia sees it differently, though, knowing it was only a matter of time before Weaver's velocity and the form resurfaced. 

"It's in there," the Angels' manager said. "(In) his side work with (Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher) this week, there's no doubt he found a more comfortable delivery that he had been searching for. He just looked natural out there and the ball was coming out much better."

In addition to the velocity, Weaver did something he did not do earlier this season: he didn't fight himself. That allowed him to have a greater impact on the mound.

Weaver had been stuck in the longest stretch of his career to start a season without a win. Entering Friday, he was 0-4 with a 6.29 ERA through his first six starts. He'd given up at least four runs in four of the six starts.

Friday's results allowed him to breathe a little easier. 

"It's just nice to get a win and get the monkey off of my back," Weaver said. "It's a step in the right direction. I'm just (going to) keep working hard and try to prove a lot of people wrong."