ANAHEIM, Calif. » Jered Weaver has put up numbers worthy of All-Star status over the first half of the season. But he’s not picturing himself on the mound in the Midsummer Classic in his home park just yet.

"It would be a tremendous honor, it’s been a goal of mine since I was 9 years old," he said. "I got my hopes up last year and it didn’t quite happen. I felt like I put myself in a position a little bit, but I’m not going to get my hopes up."

Weaver pitched two-hit ball over seven scoreless innings while shutting down Texas slugger Vladimir Guerrero and helping the Los Angeles Angels beat the Rangers 2-1 last night.

"Those guys are like the Yankees out there," Weaver said. "They got power up and down their lineup."

The second-place Angels — who host the July 13 All-Star game — took two of three from the Rangers, whose AL West lead was reduced to 3 1/2 games — still the largest in the American League.

"It’s a credit to us that we go out there and take down the hottest team in baseball," Angels center fielder Torii Hunter said.

Weaver (8-3) struck out six and walked two in lowering his ERA to 1.70 in eight home starts. His 124 strikeouts lead the AL, and he has 28 in his last three starts while allowing just three walks.

"He should be an All-Star," Hunter said.

The right-hander proved the most effective Angels pitcher in the series against Guerrero, keeping him hitless in three at-bats with a walk yesterday. The former Angel went 6-for-8 with three home runs, including a grand slam, and eight RBIs in the first two games.

Weaver also contained Josh Hamilton, whose career-high 23-game hitting streak ended with an 0-for-3 performance that included an intentional walk. Weaver retired 10 in a row during one stretch.

"I was able to control all my pitches and get in on a couple of their big hitters," he said. "Me and (catcher) Jeff (Mathis) had a great game plan going into it and we executed it. I don’t think I shook him off maybe one time. We were on the same page all night so it was fun."