Fill out this form to email this article to a friend

Your name		Your email
Recipient email	You may enter up to 20 multiple email addresses, separated by commas.
Your message
Validation Code	Hear validation code
	Enter validation code

We were unable to send your email.

Click here to try again.

Angels' Rodriguez delivers club-record save

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
In print: Thursday, August 21, 2008

Story Tools E-mail this story Contact the editor Print this story Comment on this story Social Bookmarking Digg Facebook Stumbleupon Reddit Del.icio.us Newsvine

ADVERTISEMENT

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.