Jered Weaver to start All-Star game for AL

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Angels ace Jered Weaver was informed Sunday morning that he will start Tuesday night’s All-Star game for the American League at Phoenix’s Chase Field. Because an official announcement will not be made until Monday, neither Weaver nor Manager Mike Scioscia could discuss the selection Sunday.

Weaver, who is 11-4 with a major league-leading 1.86 earned-run average, will be the first Angels pitcher to start the All-Star game since Mark Langston in 1993. Only three other Angels pitchers have started the All-Star game, Ken McBride in 1963, Dean Chance in 1964 and Nolan Ryan in 1979.

Weaver closed the first half with his eighth career complete game and fourth of the season Thursday night, allowing one run and six hits, striking out six and walking one in a 5-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

The right-hander is 5-0 with a 1.48 ERA in his last seven outings after losing his first four decisions in May. Weaver won his first six starts of the season and had an 0.99 ERA going into May.

The 28-year-old Weaver, who was a first-round selection out of Long Beach State in 2004, ranks second in the AL in wins behind the New York Yankees’ C.C. Sabathia, second in innings pitched (140 1/3) behind Detroit’s Justin Verlander, fifth in strikeouts (130) and third in opponents batting average against (.194).

Asked after Thursday night’s win about the possibility of starting the All-Star game, Weaver said, ‘It would be very cool. I’ve grown up seeing Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens, guys like that, in those situations. To be able to start would be very gratifying.”

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--Mike DiGiovanna