Cishek recorded first 1-2-3 save of the season Friday

LOS ANGELES -- Closer Steve Cishek has endured his share of struggles this season, but he finally recorded his first 1-2-3 save of the season in Friday night's 5-4 come-from-behind win over the Dodgers.

Cishek got the benefit of a borderline called strike three on the outside corner on pinch-hitter Scott Van Slyke to open the ninth. He then got Carl Crawford to bounce out to first and struckout Nick Punto looking to end the game.

Cishek has had just six chances to pitch with the lead in the ninth this season -- and that's something Redmond said has affected him.

"I think early on he had a few struggles with lefties. He wasn't in a lot of save situations, we were pitching him in tie games, maybe putting him a little out of his role," Redmond said. "At the same time he gave up some hits and home runs. But he's working hard on locating his fastball and getting the ball in on lefties. He's done a nice job making adjustments. That was a nice ninth inning against some good hitters."

Cishek said he's changed his approach in his throwing program a bit. In his 14 appearances this season, he's had a perfectly clean inning just four times. He's given up a walk or a hit every other time and has surrendered a run five times.

"I've been leaving the ball up and that's when I've gotten in trouble," Cishek said. "My main focus has been trying to throw everything hard at the knees and whatever happens, happens."