Weaver regroups from short outing to get first win for Angels

Angels 3, White Sox 0

CHICAGO (AP) -- Jered Weaver is getting closer to regaining his 2006 form.

Weaver pitched 5 2-3 innings for his first win of the season, and Gary Matthews Jr. led off the game with a home run to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Chicago White Sox 3-0 on Saturday night.

Weaver was 11-2 with a 2.56 ERA last season as a rookie, but started this year on the disabled list as he recovered from biceps tendinitis in his throwing arm.

Making his third start, Weaver (1-2) bounced back from his shortest outing of the season. He ended his outing by fanning Jermaine Dye for his fifth strikeout of the game. Weaver scattered six hits and didn't allow a walk. He escaped the fourth inning by getting Alex Cintron to pop out with the bases loaded.

"I'm feeling pretty good right now, but obviously I would say one or two starts, get some innings in, get some pitches in and extend it out a little bit. I'd say one or two more starts and I should be back to where I want to be," said Weaver.

Weaver made a few adjustments in his mechanics after studying film from his last start and used his changeup to keep White Sox hitters off balance.

"I was just a little out of rhythm last start. I think I was trying to concentrate on trying to working a little quicker, and try to keep them off balance. But at the same time, I was working on staying back and staying over the rubber," Weaver said.

Three Angels relievers combined to close it out for Weaver, with Francisco Rodriguez getting three outs for his seventh save in eight opportunities.

"I've had success in the past, and you know like I said, there's going to be bumps in the road. Its just a matter of getting back on the horse and going after it. My mindset today was to try to fill up the zone as much as possible, and just go out there and pitch my game," said Weaver.

After the game, the White Sox placed Jim Thome on the 15-day disabled list and recalled Ryan Sweeney from Triple-A Charlotte.

Thome left Friday's game against the Los Angeles Angels after fouling off a pitch in the first inning. He re-aggravated a right rib cage injury that caused him to miss the two previous games.

"It doesn't help. We got to have Jim in there. Not having Jim in there is definitely going to hurt. So we just have to hold down the fort until he gets back. He is a big piece of the puzzle," said Paul Konerko.

Matthews hit his fifth career leadoff homer on a 2-2 pitch from White Sox starter Jon Garland (1-1).

Casey Kotchman doubled and scored on Erick Aybar's single in the second, and Reggie Willits hit a single to make it 3-0.

The White Sox tried to put a rally together in the seventh inning. But Angels reliever Scot Shields got Tadahito Iguchi to fly out to left with runners on first and third.

Garland pitched seven innings and allowed three runs and five hits.

Garland is feeling more pressure with the lack of production from the White Sox offense.

"In the back of your head you know you might only get a couple of runs that game," said Garland. "For me, I have been giving up early runs and it's kind of put me in a little rut here. I'm making it even tougher on my team instead of going out and putting up early zeros and giving us a chance to jump out to a lead. I haven't been able to do that."

Game notes
Angels OF Garret Anderson missed the game with a tight right hip flexor. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he will also likely miss Sunday's game. ... The White Sox had their second sellout of the season. ... Sweeney hit .256 with two homers for Charlotte.