K-Rod returns to New York with Brewers

The last time reliever Francisco Rodriguez pitched in New York, he was building on his historic career as a closer. Already the single season saves record holder, Rodriguez was approaching 300 career saves. This weekend, though, Rodriguez returns to his old stomping grounds in Queens as a setup man with the Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game series with the Mets. The Brewers acquired Rodriguezbetter known as K-Rodfrom the Mets right after the All-Star Game on July 12, much to his surprise. He didn't expect a trade so early in the season and wasn't sure what his role would be. Rodriguez agreed to set up and close games for the Brewers, but he has yet to get a save chance. He's remaining patient, and in the mean time has dominated in the setup role. He's expressed how happy he is to be winning more than anything, but the transition hasn't been easy. "It hasn't been easy at all," Rodriguez said. "My mentality is being a closer and, believe it or not, it's a huge gap between the eighth inning and the ninth inning. So I'm trying to get used to those little details and making sure I'm ready to hand the ball to (closer John Axford) in the ninth." Rodriguez has downplayed the significance of returning to Citi Field, where he has recorded 43 of his 291 career saves, but doesn't deny that it will be strange taking the field in a Brewers uniform. Well before game time, New York media members anxiously awaited Rodriguez's arrival to the park. "It's a little different, definitely, after I spent two and a half years here," Rodriguez said. "I never got an opportunity to talk to (my Mets teammates) when I got traded." After being traded over the All-Star break, Rodriguez reported directly to Colorado with the Brewers. In 14 appearances for the Brewers so far, he is 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA, even better numbers he had as closer for the Mets. While getting adjusted to the setup role was difficult for Rodriguez, fitting in with his fellow Brewers relievers was not. He says the other relievers have made him feel so welcome that it's as if he's been with them since spring training. "We have fun," Rodriguez said. "That's the main thingwe're having fun and enjoying ourselves every time we come to the ballpark. And when it comes to business, we're going to handle business the right way. So we have a good combination." The long list of changes Rodriguez has seen since his trade to Milwaukee would not be complete with mention of the move from baseball's biggest market to its smallest. Rodriguez has so far enjoyed the calmer setting in Wisconsin. Naturally, he's also enjoying how much the Brewers are winning. With the Brewers recent successthey've won 19 of 22 games entering Friday's series openerhas come plenty of fan support. Rodriguez, an openly passionate pitcher, said the fan base has helped him thrive with the Brewers so far, particularly with a positivity that isn't always present in the Big Apple. "I love the positivity," Rodriguez said. "They're so positive and they're into the game. I'm the kind of player that likes to (get) energy from the crowd. When you see the crowd fire up in the game, it helps you a lot and it gives you the confidence to get it done."