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 can remember 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 homeplate. It was quite a memory."

Angels general manager Bill Stoneman pitched in 245 games in his career, and if most have blurred together, he remembers his debut with the 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 six innings and they pitch hit for me. Left in a 2-2 tie, and we ended up winning the game."

Certainly Jeff Weaver had 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 five scoreless innings and gave up my first hit in the fifth inning to Ron Coomer."

Jered built a memory for life Saturday night for the Angels. Made his first major-league start looking like a cool veteran. He handled the Baltimore Orioles with ease, as Jeff leaned nervously on a rail from the Angels dugout.

He did not allow a run in his seven innings, as the Angels won their fourth consecutive game with 10-1 victory.

Jered was born in Northridge and starred at Simi Valley High School and Long Beach 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. He was just short of brilliant.

He pitched seven shut-out 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.

And he made it look almost easy. He kept the Orioles off balance 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 has spent less than one full season in the minor leagues. This is what you call a rapid ascent.

At Triple-A Salt Lake, he was 4-1 with a 1.89 ERA. He had not allowed a run in his last 27 1/3 innings. Update: 34 1/3 overall innings.

"He's obviously had a very nice stretch in Salt Lake, so he's coming in with a lot of confidence," Jeff Weaver said.

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 2 inches taller), both have long blond 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 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 the 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."

On Saturday, it was one more part of a special day for Jered. One he figures to remember.

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