Jered Weaver and Angels cruise past Clayton Kershaw and Dodgers, 7-1

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The expected pitchers’ duel between the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and the Angels’ Jered Weaver began as planned Saturday night, with both aces recording several early strikeouts.

Then the Angels jumped on Kershaw in the third and fourth innings, handing the left-hander his first loss in more than two months as the Angels cruised past the Dodgers, 7-1, at Angel Stadium.

But the 6-foot-7 Weaver, who had taken the mound with a 1.97 earned-run average, stayed dominant as he held the Dodgers to one run in eight innings while striking out eight in front of an announced crowd of 42,232.

Kershaw, in contrast, gave up seven runs (six earned) and nine hits in six innings while suffering his first loss since April 26, when he lost to the Marlins in Florida, 4-2. He also struck out 10 and was not helped by the play of rookie shortstop Dee Gordon, who made two costly throwing errors.

Even so, both Kershaw and Weaver are strong candidates to make this year’s All-Star team, which will be announced Sunday.

Jeff Mathis doubled in the third inning against Kershaw and moved to third base as Maicer Izturis grounded out.

Erick Aybar then grounded to Gordon, who overthrew catcher Dioner Navarro as Mathis slid safely home. One out later, Vernon Wells drilled a Kershaw pitch into the left-field stands for a two-run home run and the Angels led, 3-0.

A walk, a bunt single and an Aybar single in the fourth inning gave the Angels another run, and designated hitter Bobby Abreu singled home two more runs to give Weaver and the Angels a 6-0 cushion.

Another Gordon throwing error, this time to first base, allowed Peter Bourjos to score from third base in the sixth inning.

The Dodgers got their run in the fifth inning when James Loney doubled, moved to third base when Aaron Miles grounded out and scored on Trent Oeltjen’s sacrifice fly.

Oeltjen came up again with Dodgers at second and third base and two out in the seventh inning, but Weaver struck him out.

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-- Jim Peltz