Rodriguez Appears to Be on Fast Track

OAKLAND — With all of two innings of major league experience, Francisco Rodriguez is under consideration for the Angels’ playoff roster.

Rodriguez would offer the Angels a dimension none of their current set-up men can provide. He can throw a 95-mph fastball, so the Angels could consider using him when a strikeout is in order. He pitched one inning Thursday, striking out the side, after striking out two in his major league debut Wednesday.

“The two innings he’s thrown are definitely an indication he’s not scared,” Manager Mike Scioscia said.

The probable playoff roster includes one vacancy in the bullpen, with Troy Percival, Ben Weber, Scott Schoeneweis, Brendan Donnelly and Scot Shields virtually assured of spots. The Angels are not sold on adding the 20-year-old Rodriguez to that bullpen, but the other candidates--Mickey Callaway, Dennis Cook, Al Levine and Aaron Sele--recently have been injured, ineffective or both.

Rodriguez dominated in the minor leagues this year, striking out 120 in 83 innings divided between double A and triple A. The Angels hesitated to promote him because of concerns about his ability to channel his excitability and respond to adversity, but those concerns have evaporated.

“He was in [Class] A ball last year,” said triple-A pitching coach Mike Butcher. “Mentally, he grew up. His mentality is not A ball anymore, and his stuff never was.”

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The Angels believe that first baseman Scott Spiezio and catcher Bengie Molina deserve consideration for Gold Glove awards, along with outfielder Garret Anderson for most valuable player and pitcher Jarrod Washburn for the Cy Young award, but the team has not organized any promotional campaigns.

The Toronto Blue Jays have touted third baseman Eric Hinske for rookie of the year in e-mails sent to writers voting on that award. With a sellout crowd on hand for a nationally televised game here Wednesday, the A’s distributed placards to fans that promoted shortstop Miguel Tejada for MVP and pitcher Barry Zito for the Cy Young. Earlier this year, Pittsburgh Pirate Manager Lloyd McClendon said he would send a video of second baseman Pokey Reese’s fielding highlights to league managers and coaches, who vote for the Gold Glove awards.

“I don’t believe in that,” Scioscia said. “If you win something, you should do it on your own merit. I don’t think it should be a lobbying issue.”

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In the Angels’ 153rd game Thursday, Scioscia used his 100th lineup. Even the most devoted fans probably could not name the only lineup Scioscia has used on more than two consecutive days: David Eckstein, ss; Darin Erstad, cf; Orlando Palmeiro, rf; Anderson, lf; Troy Glaus, 3b; Spiezio, 1b; Brad Fullmer, dh; Molina, c; Adam Kennedy, 2b.... Anderson doubled for his 85th extra-base hit of the season, tying the club record set by Glaus two years ago.... The Angels removed outfielder Elpidio Guzman and pitcher Elvin Nina from the 40-man roster as they promoted Rodriguez, pitcher Lou Pote, catcher Sal Fasano and infielder Alfredo Amezaga from triple-A Salt Lake.

ON DECK

Opponent--Seattle Mariners, three games.

Site--Safeco Field, Seattle.

Tonight--7.

TV--Channel 9 Friday and Sunday; Channel 11 Saturday.

Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

Records--Angels 95-58, Mariners 88-64.

Record vs. Mariners--6-7.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

RAMON ORTIZ

(14-9, 3.88 ERA)

vs.

MARINERS’

JOEL PINEIRO

(14-6, 3.13 ERA)

Update--The Angels lost the first six meetings against Seattle this season but have won six of the last seven. Ortiz has a 1.20 earned-run average in two starts against the Mariners this year and has not given up a home run to them, although he leads the league in home runs allowed.

Saturday, 1 p.m.--John Lackey (8-3, 3.56) vs. Freddy Garcia (15-10, 4.38).

Sunday, 1:30 p.m.--Jarrod Washburn (18-5, 3.11) vs. Ryan Franklin (6-4, 4.17).