Rodriguez, who relies mostly on a 93-mph fastball and one of the game's most devastating breaking pitches, has been developing his changeup for three years, but Sunday marked the first time he used it in a crucial situation.
His last pitch of the game, a 2-and-2 changeup to Loney, induced a weak ground ball to second for the final out.
"I definitely wouldn't have thrown that pitch in that situation in the past," Rodriguez said. "I would have thrown a fastball or a breaking ball. I didn't want to go 3-2. I wanted to throw a quality pitch."
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Short hops
One bright spot for the Angels' offense Sunday: Seldom-used reserve outfielder Juan Rivera had two hits and scored a run. With two left-handers starting for the A's this week, Manager Mike Scioscia said Rivera could get more playing time. . . . Leadoff batter Chone Figgins was a late addition to the lineup Sunday, the infection in his left knee that limited him to one pinch-hit appearance in two games healing well enough for him to play. . . . Kelvim Escobar (shoulder tear) is scheduled to throw 45 pitches tonight in a rehabilitation start for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga.
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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com
