Alberto Callaspo’s clutch hit gives Angels 3-1 win over A’s

OAKLAND — For the 11th time since 2010, Angels ace Jered Weaver threw at least seven innings and allowed one earned run or less, only to receive a loss or no-decision.

Easing the sting for the right-hander Wednesday was Alberto Callaspo’s two-out, two-run double to left field in the top of the 11th, a clutch hit that pushed the Angels to a 3-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics.

Kendrys Morales drew a one-out walk off A’s reliever Jordan Norberto in the 11th, and pinch-runner Peter Bourjos took third on Howie Kendrick’s two-out single to center field.

After shooting a ball down the right-field line that was foul by a few feet, Callaspo pulled his double into the left-field corner to give the Angels a two-run lead.

Ernesto Frieri struck out three of four batters in the bottom of the 11th for his first big league save. Since he was traded from San Diego to the Angels on May 3, the right-hander has thrown 8 2/3 hitless innings with 19 strikeouts.

Scott Downs and Jordan Walden also threw scoreless innings in relief of Weaver, who allowed one run and three hits in eight innings, striking out four and walking two.

Weaver cruised through five innings, allowing no runs and two hits, but the right-hander grooved an 0-and-1 changeup in the sixth to Seth Smith, who hit a two-out solo home run to center field to even the score, 1-1.

The Angels took a 1-0 lead in the third when Callaspo led off with a walk, Bobby Wilson hit a one-out single to right field and Maicer Izturis hit a two-out, run-scoring single to left.

They threatened in the sixth when Albert Pujols singled with one out and Morales followed with a single to center. But Pujols was thrown out at third trying to advance on Morales’ hit, a questionable gamble for the Angels slugger, and Mark Trumbo struck out to end the inning.

Angels center fielder Mike Trout helped preserve the tie in the bottom of the seventh when he raced to the wall for Josh Donaldson’s two-out drive and made a leaping catch just before crashing into the fence.

The ball wouldn’t have left the park, but it would have been a double or triple had Trout not made the catch. Kendrick, the Angels second baseman, may have saved a run in the sixth when, two batters before Smith’s homer, he made a diving stop to his left to smother Coco Crisp’s grounder before throwing to first for the out.

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Alberto Callaspo’s clutch gives Angels 3-1 win over A’s