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TEX@LAA: Weaver works seven strong to earn 12th win

In what has been a near flawless season for Jered Weaver (13-1, 2.26 ERA), the Angels ace remembers his one loss quite well.

That's because back on May 13, Weaver allowed eight runs on 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings to the Rangers in Arlington, by far his worst start of the season.

"You just come to realize that you're going to have games like that and you have to get over it as soon as possible," Weaver said. "If you dwell on it, that's when things start going awry. Not all of them are going to be good."

However, the right-hander redeemed himself against the Rangers on July 20, surrendering just one run on six hits in seven innings of work for the win in Anaheim.

He'll try to have that same type of performance on Tuesday against the division-leading Rangers in Arlington as the Angels attempt to make up more ground in the American League West. After a 15-8 win on Monday, the team now sits four games back of Texas.

Weaver has won seven straight starts, matching a career best he set in 2006, while also owning the league's lowest ERA.

Meanwhile, Derek Holland will be on the hill for the Rangers, understanding full well how important the four-game series is against the Angels.

"Going into this series, we just have to worry about today's game and then go into the next one and the next one after that," Holland said. "We know how big this series is. It's our rival. We've got to go out there and just play Texas baseball."

The left-hander is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in four starts since coming off the disabled list with shoulder soreness and a stomach virus. Three of those outings were quality starts, including Wednesday's win against the Red Sox, in which Holland allowed three runs on five hits over 7 2/3 innings.

"I've been very consistent this year compared to previous years," Holland said. "The big thing that killed me was the injury. Being able to come back and bounce back, I think, is the huge thing."

Angels: Haren could miss next start
• Plagued once again by back issues, Angels starter Dan Haren could miss his next start.

Haren complained of stiffness after his last outing on Friday against the Rays, and now it seems as if he won't make his next scheduled start against the Rangers on Wednesday.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia stressed Monday that the current back pain is a little higher this time, and "nothing connected" with the lower-back stiffness that placed Haren on the disabled list earlier this month.

• Angels outfielder Mark Trumbo was out of the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the Rangers with upper back spasms related to a rib injury he suffered on Sunday.

"It's a tough thing," Trumbo said. "I want to be in there every day, and I feel like I can go every day and I feel like I can go today. But sometimes what you feel and what's smart is not always in line."

Rangers: Team waiting on results of Feliz's exam
• The Rangers have still not released any information on pitcher Neftali Feliz, who has been on the disabled list since May 19 with a sprained right elbow and was scratched from a rehab assignment on Sunday night because of more discomfort.

Feliz was scheduled to be examined on Monday, with the results of that exam expected to be used in determining the immediate plans for him. With Tuesday's Trade Deadline approaching, the team may wait until they have more time to thoroughly evaluate Feliz's situation.

"There is nothing new other than what we told you yesterday," manager Ron Washington said before Monday's game.

• First baseman Mitch Moreland was back in the lineup on Monday after being activated off the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. He went 1-for-4 in the game. In a corresponding move, the team optioned outfielder Leonys Martin to Triple-A Round Rock.

"I feel great and my hamstring feels great," Moreland said. "I played five games and I feel like I'm ready to play and get back out there. I have to be careful, but I've tested it a couple of times and have had no problems, just normal tightness and soreness. Everything else has been good."

Worth noting
• Rangers reliever Mike Adams and his wife, Shelly, will host a Mystery Ball fundraiser at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Tuesday. The event will benefit Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that provides free facial reconstruction for children born with facial deformities. Over 350 mystery balls will be sold for $50 a chance from the time gates open through 8 p.m. CT. Each will contain a baseball autographed by a Rangers player as well as other celebrities. The sale will continue on Wednesday if there are any mystery balls remaining.

• According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Angels outfielder Mike Trout is on pace to be just the second player in MLB history to hit .350 or above with at least 15 home runs and 30 stolen bases before Aug. 1. Rickey Henderson in 1985 is the only player to do so.

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