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Rodriguez sidelined as Angels face Indians

Apr 9, 2008 - 12:51 PM Cleveland (4-4) at LA Angels (5-4) 3:35 pm EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are already feeling the absence closer Francisco Rodriguez, and he's only missed one game.

The Angels look to bounce back from a late-inning loss when they conclude a three-game series with the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.

Rodriguez, who has been experiencing soreness in both ankles, blew a save on Monday, allowing three runs while retiring just one batter in the Angels' 6-4 win over the Cleveland Indians.

The 26-year-old righthander was kept out of Tuesday's game and watched from the bench as Justin Speier surrendered a two-run home run to Travis Hafner in the top of the ninth inning as the Angels dropped a 4-3 decision to the Indians.

The loss snapped a streak of 162 consecutive victories by Los Angeles when leading after the eighth inning.

"It was an impressive streak, and just wish we could have kept it going," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Dustin Moseley (0-1, 9.00 ERA) tries to get Los Angeles back on track when he takes the mound on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old righthander, who is filling in for injured regulars John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar, allowed five runs and and six hits in five innings, enduring a 11-6 loss to the Texas Rangers on Friday.

Indians righthander Paul Byrd (0-1, 6.23) is also searching for his first win of the season on Wednesday after surrendering five runs, three earned, and eight hits in just 4 1/3 innings en route to a 6-3 setback to the Oakland Athletics on Friday.