ANAHEIM, Calif. - For the Angels, this has been the year of living dangerously.
Starter Jered Weaver left the game after three innings because of a stiff back, but the Angels strung together six shutout innings from four relievers, ending (of course) with Francisco Rodriguez securing their latest "thin win," 3-2 over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.
The Angels have now played (58) and won (39) more games decided by two runs or fewer runs than any team in the majors. They have a major league-high 17 victories in games when they scored three runs or less.
It's a frequency that should give the Angels a comfort level with close games.
"Not as much as if you're winning by four or five runs," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Our pitching staff has picked us up all season and they did it again tonight."
The bullpen had Weaver's back in this one.
Weaver was clearly struggling from the start against the Indians. He gave up a leadoff home run to
Grady Sizemore in the first inning, a double to Casey Blake later in the inning then a run-scoring triple to Franklin Gutierrez in the second inning.
"After that first inning, a big ol' knot started in my scapula," Weaver said. "It caused me not to be able to finish my pitches. My fastball command was brutal. I kept hanging my slide-piece.
"I was trying anything I could do to get some extension."
In between back-to-back walks with one out in the third, Angels manager Mike Scioscia and trainer
Adam Nevala made a visit to the mound to check on Weaver. After a warmup toss, Weaver remained in the game and worked out of the inning, stranding both runners. But Weaver had already thrown 77 pitches to navigate those three innings and didn't come out for the fourth.
"After the third inning, it didn't make any sense for him to keep grinding through it," Scioscia said.
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