Around the AL: K-Rod breaks save record

Los Angeles Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez threw a changeup with the count full Saturday night, struck out Seattle’s Raul Ibanez to strand two runners, dropped to his knees and pointed skyward.

A three-run lead was preserved. And Rodriguez was the new single-season saves leader with 58.

Goodbye, Bobby Thigpen. It was nice while it lasted — for 18 years.

“I don't have words to describe how happy I am," Rodriguez said afterward. “I've been waiting for this moment for more than two weeks. Finally, it comes true.

“A lot of people back home (in Venezuela) have been rooting for me to break the record. It's very important for my people, my country, to get that record.”

The night was made more special to Rodriguez because he said that he felt the presence of his late grandfather, whose death 10 years ago is the reason that the right-hander points to the heavens after each save.

“Definitely, I felt like he was right next to me,” Rodriguez said. “He's with me every day. I will give up anything to have him right next to me and enjoy this moment, but I've got to deal with it, and I know he's happy and proud of me right now.”

Rodriguez converted 25 save chances in a row before blowing a lead against the New York Mets on June 18. His 38 saves at the break were the most by any reliever in major league history.

"He's fearless," manager Mike Scioscia said. "I've been around a lot of good closers, but Frankie turns the page better than anyone I've seen. He's been as consistent as any pitcher I've seen.”

Getting closer

Gary Sheffield hit his 497th career home run Monday night, launching a fastball from Texas Rangers reliever Josh Rupe and leaving himself three short of the prestigious 500 club.

Sheffield is trying to become the 25th member, and the sixth active player, joining Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez and Frank Thomas.

“It probably won't hit me until I get one or two (away),” Sheffield told reporters. “That's when you know you're close.”
 
Price was right

The much-anticipated debut of Tampa Bay left-hander David Price took place Sunday against the New York Yankees, but he wasn’t in his typical role.

Price entered the game in the third inning, replacing Rays starter Edwin Jackson, and allowed two runs and three hits in 5 1/3 innings. He didn’t walk anyone and struck out four.

“It was fun, a lot of fun,” said Price, the No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft who pitched at three levels of the minors this season, joining the Rays Saturday morning from Triple-A Durham.

“Pitching [at Yankee Stadium] is definitely special.”

Increasing market value

Raul Ibanez, a pending free agent, has quietly put together a monstrous season at age 36.

Has anyone noticed that he posted his highest average (.310) and OPS (.893) heading into the weekend, while also topping 100 RBIs for the third consecutive season?

“He's in great shape,” manager Jim Riggleman said. “He's just an unbelievable worker. His preparation for the game, starting in the winter and every day before the game…him and Ichiro, at their age, they play like young guys.”

Ibanez isn’t expected to stay in Seattle. Being from Miami, he could find it appealing to play for one of the Florida teams.

Mariners president Chuck Armstrong wants to bring back Ibanez, in part because he values the left fielder’s clubhouse presence, but he’s not going to break the bank.

Slowey he turns

Heading into Monday’s game against the Cleveland Indians, Kevin Slowey was 6-2 with a 2.45 ERA in nine starts with the Minnesota Twins dating back to July 28.

Not bad for a guy who isn’t exactly a household name — even in his own household.

Slowey, 24, has all three of the Twins’ complete games and both of their shutouts. He issued only 19 walks in 146 1/3 innings before Monday. 

Part of Slowey’s success comes from being able to make adjustments when things go wrong.

“It's something we all develop as pitchers,” Slowey said. “Hopefully, the longer
you throw and the more experience you have out there, you start to realize what
you are doing wrong.”

Some quick hits

• In the first of what’s expected to be a series of moves aimed at shaking up a dormant franchise, the Kansas City Royals dismissed scouting director Deric Ladnier. They offered Ladnier a scouting position, but he’s expected to pursue other opportunities.

• The Baltimore Orioles place pitcher Jeremy Guthrie on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to September 6, with a right shoulder impingement — the same ailment that removed reliever Jim Johnson from the active roster earlier this month. Guthrie, 29, is 10-11 with a 3.57 ERA in 29 starts. Johnson returned home to Sarasota, Fla. and will report to the fall instructional league.

• The Texas Rangers are in danger of drawing fewer than 2 million fans for the first time since the 144-game season of 1995. They attracted only 1.58 million fans in 1988, then signed Nolan Ryan as a free agent. Problem solved. Ryan now is team president, so bringing him back to the organization isn’t an option.

• Speaking of attendance woes, the first-place Rays rank 12th in the AL with an average of 21,573.

• Orioles manager Dave Trembley has noticed that left-handed reliever Alfredo Simon, who spent most of the year in the Mexican League before making one start for Triple-A Norfolk and having his contract purchased, has four different deliveries. This wouldn’t be an issue, except each delivery goes with a different pitch — fastball, curveball, changeup and slider. Said Trembley: “I think you might as well have a flashing sign on it that says, 'Here it comes.'"

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