Jered Weaver had a career-high 15 strikeouts and gave an overworked bullpen a much-need breather on Sunday to lead the Angels to a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Angel Stadium.

Weaver, who led the major leagues with 233 strikeouts last season, allowed one run and four hits in 7 2/3 innings, walking four, to improve to 3-0. His 15 strikeouts were the most by an Angels pitcher since Chuck Finley struck out 15 against the Yankees on May 23, 1995, and were four shy of Nolan Ryan's club record of 19.

Weaver seemed to tire in the eighth when he walked John McDonald and Yunel Escobar wih one out and the Angels leading, 3-1. Though his pitch count was at 119, Manager Mike Scioscia left Weaver in the game to face 2010 major league home run leader Jose Bautista. Weaver fell behind, 3-1, on the count but got strike two on a foul tip and got Bautista to swing at a low slider for strike three.

Weaver was pulled to a rousing standng ovation and replaced by left-hander Hisanori Takahashi, who got Adam Lind to ground back to the mound, ending the inning. Fernando Rodney, pitching for the third straight day, retired the side in order in the ninth for the save.

After eight relievers, including starter Dan Haren, combined for 9 1/3 scoreless innings in Saturday night's 6-5, 14-inning victory, Scioscia needed 1 1/3 inning from the bullpen Sunday.