ALCS PITCHING: RODRIGUEZ NOT PERFECT BUT WINS AGAIN.Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer ANAHEIM - Even on a day when rookie Francisco Rodriguez Francisco Rodriguez may refer to:
Good enough to record another unlikely postseason victory as the Angels beat the Twins 13-5 on Sunday at Edison Field to advance to the World Series for the first time in franchise history. The Angels are 7-2 in the postseason. Rodriguez, a 20-year-old rookie, has four of those wins. He became the fifth pitcher in American League American League (AL) One of the two associations of professional baseball teams in the U.S. and Canada designated as major leagues; the other is the National League (NL). history to earn four postseason victories in one season. ``This is amazing, a dream come true,'' Rodriguez said. ``They gave me an opportunity to show that I'm still young but I can do my job.'' Rodriguez was shaky, but he got the job done. With the Angels clinging to a one-run lead and the bases loaded in the seventh, Rodriguez relieved Brandon Donnelly and walked Bobby Kielty Robert Michael ("Bobby") Kielty (last name pronounced KELT-E) (born August 5, 1976) is an American born outfielder with the Boston Red Sox. He is one of few baseball players who bat without the use of batting gloves. College Kielty was born in Fontana, California. for the tying run. Dustan Mohr Dustan Kyle Mohr (born June 19, 1976 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi) is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who last played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Dustan signed a minor league contract on December 1, 2006, with an invite to Spring Training. scored on a wild pitch to give the Twins a 4-3 lead. Jacque Jones Jacque Dewayne Jones (born April 25, 1975 in San Diego, California) is an American outfielder who currently plays for the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball. Early life hit a run-scoring sacrifice fly, but Rodriguez got Cristian Guzman grounded out to end the inning. ``I was trying to be perfect,'' Rodriguez said. He wasn't, but the Angels' offense made sure his perfect record remained intact as they scored a record-tying 10 runs on 10 hits in the seventh. ``Frankie's been outstanding,'' Angels pitching coach Bud Black
Not something he could've attained at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, where Rodriguez pitched all of last season and won just five games. A year later and already he's becoming a fan favorite, even though many don't even know who he is. One Angels fan tried to help with a sign: ``MLB MLB Major League Baseball MLB Minor League Baseball MLB Middle Linebacker (football) MLB Motor Life Boat MLB Matt Leblanc (actor) MLB Mother Love Bone (band) meet K-Rod.'' Angels catcher Bengie Molina said he was never worried the right-hander would let the inning get out of control. And why should he? Rodriguez hasn't allowed a run in the last 10 innings. ``He's been pitching great all year and one game he's not great, so what?'' catcher Bengie Molina said. ``He got out of it. He didn't have it today, but he's been unbelievable. To be 4-0 at 20 years old, I think he's walking on clouds right now.'' CAPTION(S): box Box: PITCHING SUCCESS |
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