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WSH@BAL: Hammel strikes out 10 over eight innings

The Angels and Orioles conclude a two-game series Wednesday at Camden Yards with a great pitching matchup. Jered Weaver will make his second start for the Angels since returning from the disabled list. And Baltimore's Jason Hammel will hope to continue the roll he's been on this season.

After missing almost a month with lower back spasms, Weaver returned last Wednesday to pitch six shutout innings, allowing only two hits and two walks to the Giants.

"It was either going to be really good or really bad," Weaver said after the game. "It was nice to go on the really good side of things."

The 29-year-old Weaver also had to work on a strict pitch count. He was pulled after 78 pitches or the outing could've been ever longer.

"I came in and I was like 'Man, this is [not right],'" Weaver said. "But at the same time, I knew it was going to happen. And like I told the guys earlier, it was nice to be able to get through six."

Weaver hopes to build on that outing against an Orioles team that has lost five of their last seven games.

Weaver will be opposed by Hammel, a 29-year-old right-hander that's been one of the biggest surprises of the 2012 season. He is 8-2 with a 2.61 ERA and is coming off two outstanding performances in Interleague Play.

Hammel channeled his inner R.A. Dickey and tossed a complete game one-hitter against the Braves on June 16. He followed that up with eight innings of five-hit, one-run ball against the Nationals on Friday.

"He's awesome. He's been really good every start this year, especially the last two," shortstop J.J. Hardy said. "It's fun to play behind [him]."

Angels: Williams making progress
• Angels pitcher Jerome Williams was recently placed on the disabled list due to shortness of breath. He made a step in his recovery Monday as he completed a 51-pitch simulated game. He is eligible to be activated July 4.

"He definitely looked good this afternoon," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think he had a great workout, threw 50-plus pitches, and we'll see where it sets up in the next day or two."

• Outfielder Mike Trout entered Tuesday's game leading the American League with a .338 batting average on the season. The 20-year-old also leads the AL in steals, despite not being called up from Triple-A until April 28.

"To see somebody as young as Mike is, as far as experience-wise and age, come up and play at this level, has been awakening for our team," Scioscia said. "It's been fun to watch, and hopefully it'll continue."

• Weaver is 4-3 with a 3.42 ERA in seven career starts against the Orioles. He is 1-1 with a 9.64 ERA in two starts at Camden Yards.

Orioles: Markakis hoping to return Friday
• Outfielder Nick Markakis has not been cleared to swing a bat yet, but he still hopes to be back in the lineup prior to the All-Star break. Markakis needed part of the hamate bone removed from his right wrist and it's caused him to miss three weeks. However, he feels he's close and is targeting Friday as a possible return date.

"It's frustrating, but that's the time the body needs to heal," Markakis said Tuesday. "You can't rush it, just a matter of getting this incision closed up all the way. It's close, but hopefully [I'll be cleared in] a couple more days. We'll see."

• Reliever Matt Lindstrom, who has been sidelined with a partially torn right middle finger, is expected to be activated for Wednesday's game.

"It feels like it's been forever since I've been on the mound, but the rehab went well," Lindstrom said. "I'm just looking forward to getting back out there in the bullpen with the guys."

• Manager Buck Showalter confirmed Jake Arrieta will start Friday against the Indians, with Brian Matusz pitching in the series finale.

Worth noting
• Weaver's last game against the Orioles came on April 21, when he held them to three runs on five hits in a complete-game effort. Hammel's only start against the Angels came back in 2007, when he threw six innings of two-run ball, but took a loss.

• Matt Wieters is 2-for-7 (.286) against Weaver in his career with a home run and four RBIs.

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