Los Angeles @ Milwaukee preview
Miller Park
Last Meeting ( Mar 23, 2013 ) Milwaukee 1, LA Angels 5
Luis Jimenez made a strong accounting of himself in his first game since being recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake late Wednesday night. Jimenez looks for a repeat performance on Friday as the Los Angeles Angels open a three-game interleague series against the Milwaukee Brewers. With Chris Nelson on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, Jimenez collected a pair of hits - including a two-out RBI single - as Los Angeles posted a 2-0 victory over Tampa Bay on Thursday afternoon.
The triumph was the fifth in six outings for Los Angeles, which sends Jered Weaver to the mound against fellow right-hander Wily Peralta. The Brewers also won the rubber match of their series with a 4-0 blanking of Pittsburgh on Thursday. Aramis Ramirez launched his second homer of the series and fourth in his last 10 contests.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jered Weaver (8-7, 3.46 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Wily Peralta (8-13, 4.51)
Weaver bounced back from a pair of tough outings with a stellar one on Sunday. The 30-year-old allowed one run on three hits and struck out eight in as many innings en route to a 7-1 triumph over Seattle. Weaver is struggling to keep the ball in the park, permitting at least one in each of the last five contests.
Peralta saw his winless stretch extend to three starts despite yielding one run in five innings of a no-decision versus Cincinnati on Saturday. The 24-year-old Dominican saw his pitch count elevated after failing to find the mark with his slider. Peralta is 4-7 with a 5.17 ERA in 13 home starts this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Milwaukee OF Norichika Aoki did not crack the starting lineup for the third time in seven games as he deals with tendinitis in his right knee. He came in as a pinch hitter on Thursday.
2. Los Angeles RF J.B. Shuck is 8-for-18 in his last four contests.
3. Weaver and Peralta will be facing each other's teams for the first time in their respective careers.
PREDICTION: Angels 5, Brewers 4