"Execution is the difference, Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez said. Not fatigue, not a lack of usage, not anything his own right arm does not control.

Rodriguez maintained that he was at the root of his struggles after collecting his 20th save of the season against Oakland today. If he makes pitches, he can finish a game quietly. If he does not execute, disaster awaits, as it did when he blew two saves in a row this week. That is the nature of his job.

Facing the Athletics today, he experienced little trouble. He set down all three batters he faced, and shaved his ERA to 3.25.

"Today I had command early in the count," Rodriguez said, "got ahead of them, and put them away."

Rodriguez had converted 19 save opportunities in a row before faltering against Atlanta on Thursday. He surrendered a game-tying home run to Brooks Conrad, who crushed a poorly placed fastball. "