ANOTHER BAD ANGELS START JEFF WEAVER GETS THROUGH ONLY 2 INNINGS IN DEFEAT COLORADO 12, ANGELS 4.

Byline: BEN VILLA Staff writer

Ever since Jered Weaver was sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake on June 16th, Angels fans have been in an uproar, clamoring for the team to recall the rookie phenom.

After his older brother's latest performance, they just might get their wish.

Jeff Weaver got shelled on Tuesday night, giving up nine hits and six runs in just two-plus innings of work as the Angels were embarrassed by the Colorado Rockies 12-4 in front of 39,341 at Angel Stadium.

Luckily for the Angels, they didn't lose ground on first place Oakland, which lost to San Diego. The Angels are still 6 1/2 games back.

But unfortunately for Jeff Weaver, he might have lost his hold on the final spot in the rotation. Weaver came into the game on something of a roll, having pitched six consecutive quality starts, and the night started out well for him when the Angels gave him a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a Vladimir Guerrero groundout and an RBI single by Mike Napoli.

But in the top of the second inning, Weaver gave it right back and more. Clint Barmes singled home two runs to tie the score at 2-2 and Jamey Carroll delivered an RBI double to give the Rockies a 3-2 lead.

Then in the third inning, Weaver's season hit its low point when he couldn't get anybody out. Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins led off the inning by hitting back-to-back doubles, and Brad Hawpe hit a two-run home run on an 0-2 pitch to give the Rockies a 6-2 lead.

Jorge Piedra followed Hawpe's shot with a single and Angels manager Mike Scioscia had finally seen enough, walking out to the mound to thunderous applause on his way to remove Weaver.

But it was just the opposite reaction for Weaver as he walked off the mound. Weaver (3-10) was met with a chorus of boos.

Tuesday's outing was Weaver's second-shortest of his career. Seven years ago, Weaver lasted only 1 2/3 innings against the Minnesota Twins while he was pitching for the Detroit Tigers.

After his performance, there has to be speculation about whether or not Jered Weaver would be recalled. The younger Weaver is 5-1 with a 2.03 ERA while pitching for Salt Lake and in his last start, he almost pitched a no-hitter while striking out 14 batters.

During his brief stint with the Angels, Jered Weaver won all four of starts and was considered by many as the teams' best starting pitcher during that time. He was sent down to make room for Bartolo Colon, who returned from the disabled list.

At the time of Jered's demotion, there were some who thought that Jeff Weaver, who signed a one-year free-agent contract for over $8 million, was either going to be sent to the bullpen or traded to make room for his younger brother.

Kevin Gregg relieved Jeff Weaver in the third inning but he didn't fare much better, allowing five runs in three innings against a Rockies team that tied a season-high in hits with 18. Every Rockies starter had at last one hit.

Colorado's Aaron Cook pitched seven strong innings to improve his record to 6-7.

The lone bright spots for the Angels were Napoli and Orlando Cabrera. Napoli finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs, while Cabrera went 2 for 2 and has now reached base safely in 55 straight games, a franchise record and the fourth-longest streak in the major leagues since 1960.

If Cabrera reaches base safely in tonight's series finale, he would tie the mark of Ryan Klesko, who reached base in 56 consecutive games while playing for the San Diego Padres in 2002.

Robb Quinlan hit his third home run of the season in the bottom of the eighth inning.

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CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1) Colorado's J.D. Closser slides past Angels catcher Mike Napoli and scores in the second inning Tuesday.

(2) The Angels' Orlando Cabrera slides into home to score after a hit by Mike Napoli as Colorado catcher J.D. Closser waits for the ball.

Jeff Lewis/Associated Press

(3) SANTANA

Box:

ANGELS vs. COLORADO

- Ben Villa