Ernesto Frieri got the call in the ninth inning Friday and pitched a perfect inning for his fourth save against the Jays. Frieri should officially be back in the closer's role now. Joe Smith pitched the eighth tonight and gave up a homer that tied the game before the Angels went back ahead in the top of the ninth. Frieri struck out two in his frame. He took a loss on Tuesday, but that's the lone run he's allowed in his last seven appearances.

Ernesto Frieri allowed a Brian Roberts solo homer in the top of the ninth inning to take the loss in Tuesday's 4-3 setback against the Yankees. Frieri earned the save on Monday when Joe Smith was too ill to take over in the ninth. He may have lost a little momentum in his quest to reclaim the closer's job tonight, allowing a run for the first time since his April 23 implosion in which Frieri allowed four runs against the Nationals. He totes an ugly 6.28 ERA, but his peripherals -- including a 1.26 WHIP and 17/3 K/BB rate -- show he's been better than that.

Ernesto Frieri reclaimed the closer's role by tossing a perfect ninth inning to finish off the Yankees in Monday's 4-1 win. Angels manager Mike Scioscia hinted Sunday that he might go back to Frieri, and he did just that, despite Joe Smith's effectiveness during a brief stint. The old Frieri was back tonight, as he blew away Jacoby Ellsbury and Mark Teixeira, and was within one strike of also whiffing Brian McCann. Frieri has now strung together five straight scoreless appearances.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Sunday that he wouldn't commit to using Joe Smith in the ninth inning beyond Sunday, hinting that Ernesto Frieri could soon reclaim his closer's role. While a change may not be immediate, Scioscia quipped "Our optimum bullpen is really with Ernie back in the ninth inning and being able to move Joe Smith around." While Smith has been terrific in saving his first three chances, it seems Scioscia still prefers him in high-leverage situations earlier in the game with Frieri in the ninth.

Ernesto Frieri pitched a perfect eighth with a 4-3 lead to earn a hold Saturday against the Rangers. Since losing the closer's role, Frieri has pitched 4 2/3 perfect innings, lowering his ERA from 9.35 to 6.57. He should get another look in the ninth soon enough.

Ernesto Frieri has been demoted from the Angels' closer role. Manager Mike Scioscia publicly supported Frieri just a couple days ago, but he's obviously had a changed of heart. It's hard to blame him after the reliever put up a 9.35 ERA over his first 10 appearances. Scioscia said he's confident Frieri will "get it back" eventually, but for now Joe Smith will close. Frieri will be used in low-leverage situations for a while.

Ernesto Frieri blew his second save of the season, allowing four runs as the Nationals walked off winners in the bottom of the ninth. Frieri, who saved 37 games for the Angels last season, has not been able to get the job done in the early going. Against the Nationals, he allowed a home run to Jose Lobaton to lead off the ninth, then got a strike out. From there, he allowed a single, a walk, a two-run double, and a walk-off RBI single to Adam LaRoche. On the season, Frieri has struck out 12 in 9 1/3 innings, but has also allowed five home runs. One has to wonder if he may be running out of time to right the ship.

Despite giving up his fourth homer of the year, Ernesto Frieri recorded his second save Monday against the Nationals. Frieri gave up the long ball to Ian Desmond leading off the ninth, but he struck out the other three guys he faced. The early homer barrage is certainly a concern for Frieri owners, but since he has the 11/1 K/BB ratio in 8 1/3 innings, he's managed to survive, blowing just one save. He should get better.

Ernesto Frieri blew his first save of the season by coughing up John Jaso's two-run ninth-inning homer in Monday's 3-2 loss to the A's. Frieri allowed a leadoff single to Josh Donaldson, retired Yoenis Cespedes on a fly out in which Cespedes thought he had called time, and then got careless up in the zone with Jaso, who blasted a no-doubter out to right. The closer proceeded to cough up singles to Alberto Callaspo and Nick Punto before Mike Scioscia yanked him to boos (Jose Alvarez escaped the inning with no further damage inflicted). Angels fans are calling for Frieri's head already, but they should keep in mind that he was 37-for-41 in save opportunities last year (albeit it with a poor 3.80 ERA and 1.24 WHIP). Besides, he entered tonight having allowed only one baserunner over four consecutive scoreless frames. Joe Smith isn't going to leapfrog him tomorrow, but Frieri is advised to cut down on that 6.75 ERA next time out.

Ernesto Frieri pitched around a walk to hurl a scoreless ninth inning and earn his first save of the season in a 2-0 win against Seattle on Wednesday. Frieri didn't get an easy lineup draw, but he induced a Robinson Cano ground out and whiffed Corey Hart around a Justin Smoak walk. Kyle Seager provided Seattle's last chance to push the Mariners' record to 5-0 against the Angels this season, but Frieri fooled him into a game-ending grounder to second. Back on April 2, Frieri coughed up two homers in his first appearance of the season versus Seattle. He hasn't given up a run in two outings since.