Francisco Rodriguez got the last laugh, except for one thing — he didn’t laugh. Or smile.
The stern-faced reliever’s demeanor was the same following yesterday’s game as it always is, fairly glum, despite the fact his perfect eighth inning contributed to a 6-2 Brewers victory that completed a three-game sweep of his former club, the Mets.
Rodriguez was satisfied he redeemed himself after his dismal outing on Saturday, which gave the Citi Field fans all the ammunition they needed to soak their former closer with boos.
But he didn’t want to make it a point of contention.
“No, I don’t see it that way,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t even think about that. As long as I get my job done, it doesn’t matter. I said it once, I’m gonna say it twice, coming on the road you’re gonna get booed, regardless if it’s New York, wherever.
“It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t even bother me.”
Rodriguez proved that to be true by bouncing back with an efficient performance, which helped the Brewers, first in the National League Central, improve to 76-52 while the Mets fell to 60-66, largely because their bullpen surrendered four runs in two innings as they struggle to replace Rodriguez.
Brewers manager Ron Roenicke showed confidence in Rodriguez by going to him with a two-run lead the day after he was hammered.
His confidence was rewarded.
Rodriguez needed just eight pitches to get Angel Pagan and Justin Turner on ground outs, and David Wright on a fly out to center field.
“[Rodriguez] was really good today,” Roenicke said. “I saw him this morning, asked how he was physically. I wasn’t worried about last night, so I just wanted to know he was OK physically. He was fine, so no hesitation [to bring him in].”
Rodriguez has been solid in the setup role for Milwaukee. He is 3-0 with a 3.26 ERA in 16 appearances since being traded from the Mets in mid-July. He has blown three saves, though, including Saturday’s debacle in which he gave up three earned runs in one inning but ended up with the win.
Rodriguez, who lost favor with the Mets faithful last summer when he was arrested and charged with assaulting his girlfriend’s father, said he is enjoying his time pitching for the first-place Brewers.
“Extremely happy,” Rodriguez said. “I am really fortunate to be on this ballclub, winning and obviously fighting for a playoff spot, which I’ve been looking for for many years. You got more pressure [in first place], and that makes it more fun.”