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Final 1 2 3   4 5 6   7 8 9   R H E Seattle 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 LA Angels 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 x 6 11 0

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  W: G. Richards (1-0)   L: B. Beavan (3-5)

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By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO

(AP) -- The Los Angeles Angels are trying to re-establish both their recent winning ways and their home success against the Seattle Mariners.

Not having Jered Weaver on the mound may make that tougher to accomplish.

With Weaver on the disabled list, Garrett Richards will take the ace's turn in the rotation Tuesday night against the Mariners when the Angels attempt to avoid losing three straight at home for the second time this season.

Los Angeles (28-28) had won 10 of 11 before losing 7-3 on Sunday to AL West-leading Texas, then falling 8-6 to Seattle (25-32) on Monday to open this three-game set.

The Angels have split their last six home games against the Mariners after winning 17 of the previous 19.

They haven't dropped back-to-back home meetings to Seattle there since May 29-30, 2009, but they won't have Weaver on the mound Tuesday to act as a stopper.

Last year's AL Cy Young runner-up to Detroit's Justin Verlander, Weaver is on the disabled with a strained lower back, suffered after throwing just 12 pitches May 28 against the New York Yankees.

Making his first start of 2012, Richards will try to pick up the slack in Weaver's absence. The right-hander - a Riverside, Calif. native who failed to make the rotation out of spring training - has made one relief appearance since being recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on May 29, throwing a perfect ninth inning in a 6-5 loss to the Yankees the following day.

Richards appeared in seven games - three starts - for the Angels last year, finishing his first major-league experience 0-2 with a 5.79 ERA.

He was 5-2 with a 4.31 ERA in 10 starts for Salt Lake this season.

"The game up here moves a lot faster than it does in the minor leagues," Richards said. "You've got to pitch your game. I learned a lot last year, and I just feel like this season I'm a lot more prepared."

Young outfielder Mike Trout certainly seems better prepared for the majors this year, batting .447 with three doubles, two triples, one homer and 10 RBIs during a nine-game hitting streak. That stretch includes going 7 for 12 with two RBIs and two runs scored in three meetings with Seattle. However, Trout is 0 for 5 versus Tuesday's scheduled starter Blake Beavan.

The Mariners have won four of six after a five-game skid, and have scored 55 runs in their last eight games.

"We're facing pretty good pitching, but out lineup is doing a really good job of putting together good at-bats," said John Jaso, who had three hits in Monday's victory. "Even it if is making an out, it's making the pitcher throw a lot of pitches and that can make him almost lose confidence in certain pitches."

Beavan (3-4, 4.72) is likely gaining confidence, as he's seeking to go a fourth straight start without a loss.

The right-hander has benefited from an average of 13.5 runs of support over his last three outings, going 2-0 despite a 5.00 ERA. He allowed five runs and eight hits in six innings Wednesday, but easily got credit for the Mariners' 21-8 victory at Texas.

Beavan is 1-0 with a 2.86 ERA in four starts against the Angels, including a 1.88 ERA in two starts in Anaheim. He won his last outing there on Aug. 6, yielding one run in eight innings.

Updated June 5, 2012