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Angels' Weaver came in 'through the chimney' to fool O's

Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Jered Weaver's fastball wasn't doing the trick Sunday against the hard-hitting Baltimore Orioles, so the veteran right-hander decided to use a softer approach.

Weaver threw his fastball just 35 percent of the time and instead relied on a mid-70's change-up and a curve ball which topped out at 67 mph to defeat the AL East-leading Orioles.

"The front door was locked, the back door was bolted, so I was coming in through the chimney today," Weaver said of how he pitched against the Orioles.

Weaver kept the Orioles off balance, striking out six, while allowing just two earned runs in the Los Angeles Angels 10-2 drubbing. He even impressed teammate Mike Trout with his arsenal.

"He got me every time," Trout said after admitting he was trying to guess what Weaver would throw next. "He just keeps you so off balance. It's frustrating. It has to be. I'm just happy I'm out in center field."

Weaver also managed to fool three of the Orioles most dangerous hitters with his selection of junk.

HITTER RESULT PITCH
Manny Machado Caught looking 82-mph FB
Chris Davis Caught looking 85-mph FB
Mark Trumbo Caught looking 68-mph curve

Although the 33-year-old Weaver won his third game of the year, he isn't where he wants to be after being diagnosed with mild degenerative changes in his cervical spine before the season began.

"There's some good days and bad days," Weaver explained. "It's not very fun going out there, but I'm going to go out there and compete. If I get hit around, I'm going to take my beating like a man. If I go out there and keep the team in the game and we're able to win, that's a plus overall. I'm definitely not where I want to be. But today was a good sign that it's headed in the right direction."

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