By Morris Phillips

AP photo: Oakland A’s starter Eric Surkamp delivers in first inning against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum

OAKLAND–Jered Weaver enjoyed nearly a decade among the American League’s pitching elite, posting a winning record in nine consecutive seasons beginning in 2006.  But in the last two years,  Weaver has come back to the pack, seeing his ERA rise, and his strikeout totals drop dramatically.

Weaver’s downward trend worsened in his two previous starts, a pair of losses in which he allowed 11 earned runs in just over 11 innings pitched.

On Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum, everything that was wrong with Weaver suddenly became right, courtesy of the A’s.

Weaver’s complete game, three-hit shutout was surprising as it was dominant.  The 33-year old right hander struck out just one batter all afternoon, but benefitted from stellar defense behind him.  After pitching past the sixth inning just four times in his first 14 starts, Weaver went all the way for the first time in more than a year.

“I know that I’m not a guy anymore that’s going to go out there and strike people out, so I try to limit pitches.  They were able to hit the ball but luckily they were at people.”

Weaver’s smooth trips through the Oakland lineup came one day after Tim Lincecum shut down the A’s.  Two pitchers that haven’t exactly been a mystery to big league hitters found safe haven against in Oakland.  That in turn caused a bunch of frustration in the A’s clubhouse after their fifth loss in seven games on this homestand.

“Up and down the lineup,  including myself, we didn’t make him work,” Stephen Vogt said.  “A guy like him, every pitch looks hittable but that’s not the case.”

Carlos Perez homered in support of Weaver, and the timeless Albert Pujols knocked in a run.  Mike Trout contributed the big defensive play, throwing out Billy Butler trying to stretch a single in the fifth.

The A’s have an off-day Monday and resume play Tuesday at the Coliseum against the Brewers.