AS MEMORIES GO, THIS ONE'S A KEEPER FOR WEAVER.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

ANAHEIM - They can all do it, and now so can Jered Weaver.

Every player fortunate enough to have stepped on a major-league field, can look back and remember with amazing clarity the first time.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia appeared in more than 1,100 games in his career, but remembers clearly his first major-league at-bat. Opening Day for the Dodgers, at home, 1980.

``First at-bat was against Joe Niekro, and I doubled down the left-field line,'' Scioscia said. ``That was a great day. Scored my first run on a passed ball, diving into home plate.''

Angels general manager Bill Stoneman pitched in 245games in his career, and if most have blurred together, he remembers his debut with the Chicago Cubs like a first kiss.

``It was the second game of a doubleheader at Candlestick,'' he said. ``The park was full. The first hitter I faced was Jesus Alou, and he tapped the ball right back to me. I pitched sixinnings, and they pinch-hit for me. Left in a 2-2 tie, and we ended up winning the game.''

Certainly Jeff Weaver has no problem recalling his major- league debut for the Detroit Tigers, with brother Jered sitting in the stands with his parents.

``It was against the Twins, and the first batter was Torii Hunter, and I struck him out,'' Jeff said. ``I pitched fivescoreless innings and gave up my first hit in the fifth inning to Ron Coomer.''

Jered built his own memory Saturday night with the Angels. Built a memory that will last.

He made his first major- league start looking like a cool veteran. Handled the Baltimore Orioles with ease.

For one night, the promise was delivered.

He did not allow a run in his seven innings, the Angels built him a 9-0 cushion and went on to win their fourth consecutive game with a 10-1 victory.

``I just threw the ball, and whatever happened, happened,'' Jered said.

Jered was born in Northridge and starred at Simi Valley High and LongBeach State before being taken in the first round, 12th overall, by the Angels in the 2004 draft.

Saturday night he made for truth in advertising. In truth, he was just short of brilliant.

He pitched seven shutout innings, allowing three hits. He walked one, struck out five and gave the Weaver family two winning major- league pitchers in the span of four days.

He made it look almost easy. Kept the Orioles off balanced all night. Mixed his pitches in and out. Went upstairs when they weren't expecting it. Consistently hit the low 90s on the radar gun.

Looked like somebody who wasn't planning on just staying for a couple starts until Bartolo Colon returns. Looked less nervous than very comfortable.

``He competes, throws strikes, usually doesn't beat himself,'' Stoneman said. ``He doesn't walk many guys. He understands how to pitch.''

Jered is 23, and after a long holdout, has spent less than one full season in the minor leagues. This is what you call a rapid ascent.

But at Triple-A Salt Lake City this season, he was 4-1 with a 1.89 ERA. He had not allowed a run in his past 27 1/3 innings. Update: 34 1/3 overall innings.

``You never know what they're going to do for sure until they get to this stage,'' Scioscia said. ``But what you saw tonight is the same thing he was doing at Triple-A. ``He just continued to carry on through. That makes a statement that he's on his way.''

If Jeff, six years older, and Jered looked anymore like brothers they'd be identical twins. Both are tall and lanky (though at 6-foot-7 Jered is two inches taller), both have longer blondish hair worn Steve Nash-style tucked behind the ears, both are right-handed. And both currently pitch for the Angels.

That last part also includes the possibility of becoming awkward in the Weaver family.

Despite his victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, Jeff is a disappointing 2-7 this season with a 6.99 ERA.

There are some who think a strong performance by Jered could send Jeff to the bullpen, or trading block, when Colon returns from his sore shoulder in the next few weeks.

For now, Jeff just hopes one brother inspires the other.

``Nothing wrong with a little sibling rivalry, right?'' Jeff said. ``Hopefully, we build off each other throughout the course of the year. We'll just see how it goes. ``We've been really close the last few years, always on the phone talking, so we know what each other goes through. Having that support is going to benefit both of us.''

Jeff mostly tried to leave his brother alone Saturday in the dugout.

``He had a couple words of advice, but mostly it's that thing about leaving the starting pitcher alone,'' Jered said.

This pitcher had a start to remember. One with his brother watching from the railing, his family and friends from the stands.

Jered said despite appearances, there were early butterflies. But after Vladimir Guerrero threw Javy Lopez out at the plate in the top of the second to end Baltimore's only threat against Jered, the rest went smooth as any Valley kid could imagine.

``A dream come true,'' Jered said.

A memory to last a lifetime.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Jered Weaver threw seven shutout innings in his debut with the Angels.

Keith Birmingham/Staff Photographer

(2) Jered Weaver of the Angels made his pro debut against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images