If the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are going to make a push towards the postseason they need C.J. Wilson to start winning some games. On Thursday, Wilson eyes his first win in 11 starts when the Angels try to complete a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Wilson remained winless since the All-Star break on Saturday, as he received a no-decision against Tampa Bay, despite getting pounded for seven runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings of a 10-8 loss.
His 6.38 ERA since the All-Star break is the worst in the majors and he is 0-5 since last winning back on June 26 in Baltimore. There hasn't been an Angels starter to go 11 starts without a victory since Jim Abbott went 13 in a row May 7-Aug. 10, 1996.
"It's just frustrating for us to not win games when we need to win games," said Wilson, who is 9-9 with a 3.62 ERA on the year. "It doesn't really matter how you go about not winning the game. We want to win, and we need to win, and we're going to win. It's just a matter of are we going to win enough games."
Wilson has fared pretty well against the Red Sox over the course of his career, though, posting a 4-1 mark to go along with a 1.43 ERA in 17 games (5 starts).
Boston, meanwhile, will counter with lefty Franklin Morales, who has lost his last two starts. Morales was roughed up by the New York Yankees on Friday, as he gave up five runs and six hits - four home runs - in 5 1/3 innings, dropping him to 3-4 to go along with a 3.67 ERA.
Amazingly, Morales has allowed just one home run in his six non-Yankees starts this season and eight in just two starts against New York.
"You know what? I tried to throw my pitches," Morales said. "When you miss, that's going to happen."
This will be his first-ever start against the Angels.
The Angels continued to roll on Wednesday with a 7-3 triumph.
Jered Weaver (16-3), who had lost five of his six Fenway Park starts with a 7.16 earned run average, gave up two runs and seven hits with five strikeouts in seven innings to earn the win.
"Coming into this place, you never know what's going to happen," Weaver said. "I obviously hadn't had too much success here. It was nice to mix in a win."
Howie Kendrick had two hits including a home run for the Angels, who won Tuesday's series opener 5-3.
Despite entering the game with a four-start win streak against the Angels, Clay Buchholz (11-4) tied a career-high by surrendering 12 hits. The right- hander, who gave up eight runs over his previous six starts, was charged for seven in 5 1/3 innings.
"The balls were up in the zone," Buchholz said. "You can't expect to get away with it with a good team like that."
All the news was not great for the Angels, as first baseman Albert Pujols left the game with a right calf injury. He'll have an MRI on Thursday and is doubtful for the finale.
Boston took six of eight meetings with the Angels last season.
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