M's Notebook | Weaver matchup won't happen this time around

ARLINGTON, Texas — Just call it a good-natured brotherly disagreement.

Angels pitcher Jered Weaver told reporters in Anaheim, Calif., he was relieved when Los Angeles altered its rotation last week, foiling the first-ever Weaver-vs.-Weaver matchup, which had long been looming for Tuesday at Safeco Field.

The Mariners' Jeff Weaver, on the other hand, was disappointed when he found out that brother Jered will now pitch Wednesday against Felix Hernandez, while Jeff will oppose Ervin Santana on Tuesday.

"He's got a little difference of opinion," Jeff Weaver said Saturday in the Mariners' clubhouse in Texas, smiling. "I would look forward to it. Take it for what it is — you're facing their lineup, he's facing yours.

"It's kind of a special day. It doesn't happen too often. I would cherish that opportunity, regardless of the outcome. It's something we could look back on later in life."

The brothers had made several recent starts on the same day, setting up a possible face-to-face outing.

But that changed when Angels manager Mike Scioscia inserted Santana into Jered Weaver's scheduled start Thursday, opting to give the second-year Angels pitcher an extra day's rest.

"I just kind of realized it two starts ago that we were on target to face each other," Jeff Weaver said.

"I talked to him about it every time we talked. I called him a couple of days ago, and I said, 'It looks like we're still on for Seattle.' He was, like, 'Nah, we inserted Santana on Thursday, so it will be the day after.' I said, 'Ah, you got out of that one.' "

More accurate, the Weavers' parents, Dave and Gail, got out of that one. Their obvious rooting predicament is why Jered said he wasn't relishing pitching against Jeff.

"I don't want to put my parents in that situation," Jered Weaver told the Los Angeles Times. "I don't want my dad to have a heart attack out there. It would be great for history — I don't know how many times it's happened — but it would be kind of weird for me."

Countered Jeff, "At least they [parents] could watch one game and get it both out of the way."

Brother vs. brother hasn't happened in the majors since Sept. 6, 2002, when the Benes brothers — Alan of the Cubs and Andy of the Cardinals — met. There have been 20 matchups since 1900 of starters who were brothers.

Jeff, who turned 31 last Wednesday, and Jered, 24, were both with the Angels last year before Jeff was designated for assignment and joined St. Louis in early July. They have never pitched against each other at any level.

"Last year in Anaheim was the first year we ever were on the same field together," Jeff said.

The Weavers are in the potentially discomfiting position of playing on teams that are battling each other for the American League West title.

Jeff Weaver sat on a clubhouse couch in Texas after Friday's Mariners game, watching Jered intently on television, in the midst of pitching six shutout innings against Toronto. He said that blood comes first — up to a point.

"I root for my brother to pitch well," he said. "I root for him to come out of the game with a chance to win — and hopefully their bullpen would have blown it.

"It's one game. I'll always be supporting my brother. It's hard not to."

The Angels' bullpen didn't blow it, raising Jered's record to 9-6 and keeping the Mariners from moving into a first-place tie in the AL West. The Mariners, however, moved three games ahead of the Yankees in the wild-card race, raising the specter of both Weavers making it to the postseason.

"We just have to keep playing good ball like we both have," Jeff Weaver said.

Ichiro, Betancourt rest

Center fielder Ichiro and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt both were out of the Seattle starting lineup Saturday. Manager John McLaren said he told Ichiro to come to him when he felt he needed a day off.

"He said he thought Saturday was a good day," McLaren said. "Betancourt came to me and said the same thing. It's warm here, and that takes a toll."

Adam Jones started in center and batted leadoff, while Willie Bloomquist was at shortstop. McLaren said catcher Kenji Johjima would rest today.

Notes

• Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus will skip tonight's game, with Ken Levine taking his spot. The decision for the 72-year-old Niehaus to fly back to Seattle on Sunday was made so that he would be able to avoid the team's expected arrival in Seattle at about 3 a.m. after the night game.

• The Mariners open a three-game series with the Angels on Monday before resuming a stretch of 17 out of 20 games on the road. They fly to Cleveland after Wednesday's game for a one-game makeup with the Indians on Thursday, followed by trips to Toronto, New York and Detroit.

• Tickets are still available for the Angels series. The Mariners report 5,000 tickets remain for the games on Monday and Wednesday, and 9,000 for Tuesday.

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com

For the record

Streak: L1

Home: 41-24

Road: 32-30

vs. AL West: 22-18

vs. L.A.: 4-8

vs. Oakland: 10-3

vs. Texas: 8-7

vs. AL East: 22-12

vs. AL Cent.: 20-15

vs. NL: 9-9

vs. LHP: 24-8

vs. RHP: 49-46

Day: 19-17

Night: 54-37

One-run: 21-17

Extra innings: 4-1