"The only way you're going to beat good pitching -- whether it's a spring training game or a regular-season game or a pennant-race game -- is to pitch with them," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We've been able to do that the first couple nights. That's what I think one of the strengths of our club has been for the last 40 or 50 games since our rotation really got settled.

"I can't say enough about what John did last night and what Jered did tonight, how important it is for our team. To go out there and match up with premier pitchers like (Jon) Lester and (Josh) Beckett, you've got to pitch with them. That's the way we were able to win. We were able to do that."

Weaver allowed both of his hits in the fourth inning, including a leadoff triple by Jacoby Ellsbury that led to the Red Sox's only run. In the first two games of this series, the Angels pitchers have allowed just one run and eight hits over 18 innings.

"He used all his pitches," catcher Mike Napoli said of Weaver's performance. "He basically did what he wanted when he was throwing every pitch. He executed all his pitches."

The Angels will try to close out the series with left-hander Scott Kazmir on the mound for Game 3 Sunday in Boston.

ANGELS 4, RED SOX 1: The Angels got a second consecutive dominating performance from a starting pitcher to go up two games to none in the best-of-five ALDS. RHP Jered Weaver allowed just two hits in 7 1/3 innings, striking out seven. The Angels broke open a tie game with three runs in the seventh inning. Maicer Izturis had a two-out RBI single to break the tie and Erick Aybar added a two-run triple two batters later.