It’s been a bit too close for comfort

Mike Scioscia has cited a pair of sprained ankles, a refined delivery and a heavy workload as reasons for closer Francisco Rodriguez’s struggles, and after another shaky save Thursday night, the manager said Rodriguez was “evolving as a pitcher.”

Into what, Angels fans are beginning to wonder, Todd Jones?

Though he recorded his seventh save in eight tries in Friday night’s 5-4 win over Seattle, Rodriguez needed a game-saving catch from Torii Hunter, who robbed Richie Sexson of a possible two-run homer at the center-field wall to end the game.

Rodriguez is known for his door-slamming saves, but the right-hander has not been his usually dominant self. In nine games he has a 5.40 earned-run average, having allowed nine hits, walked seven -- one intentionally -- and struck out seven.

His fastball, usually in the 94-mph range, has hovered between 89 and 91 mph, though he did hit 93 mph twice Friday night. The loss of velocity seems to have taken some bite out of his slider. On the bright side, Rodriguez’s changeup has been very good, a lethal weapon against left-handed hitters.

But Rodriguez is only 26 with a major league-leading 132 saves from 2005 to 2007. He had a 2.37 ERA and held opponents to a .185 average in his first five years. Isn’t he a little young to become a finesse pitcher?

“I don’t look at him as a guy on the decline,” Scioscia said. “He has plenty in his arm, plenty of fastball. He’s hitting his spots, and the ball is coming out of his hand pretty good. He’s not quite where he’ll be . . . but we expect big things from him in the future.”

So does Rodriguez, who is probably a victim of his success. He’s been so good for so long that fans and the media expect him to not only save games, but to dominate opponents.

“Sometimes people don’t understand, I’m not a machine,” said Rodriguez, who will be a free agent after this season. “They’re big league hitters. I’m not going to strike out the side on 10 pitches and give up no hits every time.

“I’m trying to do my best, and people are always trying to find the negative in every outing. They’re saying I’m struggling, my slider isn’t sharp . . . it’s very frustrating.

“Guys are working counts, they’re not swinging at my strikeout pitch every time. But I feel good. I’m healthy. I have 5 1/2 months of season left. I know at the end of the year my numbers are going to be there.”

Though setup man Scot Shields has retired 10 straight batters in four appearances, Scioscia said he had no plans to let Rodriguez work out his issues in a non-closing role.

“The perception is he’s not doing the job -- he’s saved [seven of eight] games,” Scioscia said. “The bullpen roles we have, we feel it’s a great formula, and those outs in the seventh and eighth innings are as important as the last three.”

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Howie Kendrick tried to test his strained left hamstring by doing some agility drills Friday, but the second baseman, who missed his fifth consecutive game, was placed on the 15-day disabled list after the game, retroactive to April 14. The Angels recalled middle infielder Sean Rodriguez from triple-A Salt Lake.

“Explosive-wise, it’s not where it needs to be; I still feel it a little bit in there,” Kendrick said. “. . . It’s not in my best interests to go out there if I’m not 100%.”

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