Angels' Rodriguez delivers club-record save

ST. PETERSBURG — When Torii Hunter signed with the Angels in the offseason, there was one big side benefit.

The two-time All-Star centerfielder didn't have to face unflappable Angels closer Frankie Rodriguez anymore.

"Now," Hunter said with a smile, "I get a front-row seat."

After two days of avoiding the major-league saves leader, the Rays finally got their own up-close look. And in doing so, they became a part of history.

When Rodriguez pitched a scoreless ninth Wednesday, holding off another Rays comeback attempt, he broke his own club record with his 48th save of the season in 53 opportunities. The 26-year-old has a chance to break the major-league record of 57 saves in a season, set 18 years ago by Bobby Thigpen of the White Sox. (He's on pace for 62.)

"It's a special season, what he's doing," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We've played a lot of close games and he's been there for us, he's doing a terrific job."

Like his season, Rodriguez's ninth inning had its ups and downs. Rodriguez, who had blown two of his previous four save opportunities, gave up a leadoff single to Gabe Gross in the ninth. But he got Dioner Navarro to ground into a double play to thwart the threat.

"It's nice," Rodriguez said of the record. "I can't ask for more."

Rodriguez, nicknamed "K-Rod", burst onto the scene in 2002 when, after being a September callup, he became the youngest pitcher to win a World Series game at 20 years, 286 days. He set the standard for relievers in the postseason with five wins in that playoff run, which included setting up now-Rays closer Troy Percival's World Series Game 7 save.

"It was incredible," said Percival, who called K-Rod's slider "the best in the game."

"When I saw his stuff, I said this is some of the best stuff I've ever seen. Plus he was pretty composed and wasn't scared of any situation. So I knew right then and there he'd be a good closer."

And soon, maybe a record-breaking one.