DETROIT -- Francisco Rodriguez had finished getting dressed and was picking up around his locker after the game Thursday afternoon. Nearby, a small group of media were hovering.
Rodriguez made eye contact, a signal that cameras and reporters could approach. He knew what would come next. He’d gone through the drill enough times.
He would be asked went wrong. He would take full responsibility. Yes, one of the pitches that was hit was actually well-located, but the details didn’t really matter. He was the closer. He had entered with a lead (or, in Thursday’s case, a tie) and lost the game.