Colon's complete game saves taxed bullpen

OAKLAND -- Bartolo Colon's shutout Friday against the White Sox worked twofold for the A's, who had returned home to O.co Coliseum after an emotional 3-1 series win against the Giants in the Bay Bridge Series.

Colon's five-hit performance gave the bullpen the night off after relievers had accounted for 11 1/3 innings in 11 appearances in the four games against the Giants.

"While we were all available, we weren't all rested," said Ryan Cook, who got the hold in Tuesday's 6-3 win over San Francisco. "It helps tremendously."

A's manager Bob Melvin said the only reliever unavailable for Friday's game was left-hander Jerry Blevins, who pitched against the Giants on Wednesday and Thursday, though the ability to rest all his taxed relievers will prove beneficial moving forward.

"To be able to not have anybody even take their jacket off, I can't remember the last time that's happened here," Melvin said. "Not just a great performance. The timing was just as good."

Adding another dimension to Colon's timing is the quick turnaround of Saturday's afternoon game after a night game, which offers less recovery time than standard back-to-back games.

"The effects of it are huge," Cook said. "In this game, you just never know what tomorrow holds. So to be able to have a game like that is one, incredibly impressive to do anyway, and then the effects that trickle down then to the bullpen weighs big."