Entering in the fourth inning for Jered Weaver, forced to leave due to a knot in his right scapula, Darren Oliver and three other relievers allowed just four hits while striking out six batters in the final six innings of a 3-2 victory over Cleveland.

"It's a tough job," said Scot Shields of being a middle reliever, a position he once held. "You're caught off guard a little bit, but that's pretty outstanding."

Oliver allowed just one hit in 2 2/3 innings before Jose Arredondo pitched 1 1/3 scoreless and Shields and Francisco Rodriguez each struck out a pair in their scoreless frames. Rodriguez got pinch-hitter Ryan Garko swinging on a change-up to end the game with a man on second, notching his 41st save.

Though, technically, the save could be added to Oliver's line.

"He gave us a big lift tonight," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "That was important at the time."

Weaver, pitching for the first time in 13 days, said he first felt tightness behind his shoulder blade in the first inning. He needed 77 pitches to get through his three innings, getting a visit from Scioscia and trainer Adam Nevala during Casey Blake's at-bat in the third.

"I think that probably had something to do with my two weeks off," said Weaver, who last started on July 9, but threw two bullpen sessions in between. "The weeks off felt great and I thought the rest would help me out. But I got a big, ol' knot and it caused me not to finish my pitches."

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