NEW YORK -- Ernesto Frieri has lost his job as Los Angeles Angels closer -- at least for a while. Hroniss Grasu Jersey . Angels manager Mike Scioscia says setup man Joe Smith will step into the stopper role until Frieri works out his problems beginning Friday night when the Angels play the New York Yankees. "We want to get Ernie off of that treadmill and let him get an inning or two where he can try to make some adjustments," Scioscia said. "Historically, Ernie has responded well to this. We need him, and I think this is the best route to take to get to the final solution we want." The move comes two days after Frieri allowed four runs and three hits while failing to protect a lead for the Angels in a loss at Washington. It was his second blown save this season in four chances. Frieri is 0-2 with a 9.35 ERA in 10 appearances this year. Hes allowed five home runs, a problem that plagued him last season when he was tagged for 11 homers and briefly lost the closer job. Scioscia said Frieri will be used at less stressful times, not in setup situations. The eighth-inning role will be filled by matchups. "To put him in setup role right now would defeat the purpose, because youre going to put him in a high-leverage situation," Scioscia said. "If youre ready for the eighth inning, youre ready for the ninth." "Mechanically hes fine," Scioscia said. "At times hes overthrowing, and when he does, hes missing some spots. Hes not a fine control guy, but he definitely knows what area he wants to throw the ball, and hes usually pretty good at getting it there." Smith signed a $15.75 million, three-year contract with the Angels this winter. In his eighth season, the 30-year-old right-hander is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA, but 10 of his 11 appearances have been scoreless. He has three career saves in 450 games with the Mets, Indians and Angels. Nick Boyle Jersey . - Free agent defensive end Will Smith has signed with the New England Patriots. Earl Thomas III Jersey .com) - Matt Beleskey has helped give the Anaheim Ducks some scoring depth and hell look to stay hot on Wednesday night when his club hosts the struggling Philadelphia Flyers. http://www.customravensjersey.com/custom-marquise-brown-jersey-large-73d.html . Pekovic had an MRI test Tuesday on his right ankle that revealed bursitis, which is inflammation of the fluid-filled pad that cushions the joint.The Winnipeg Goldeyes got behind early in their Opening Day game on Thursday night against the Amarillo Sox. And despite slowly clawing their way back into the game, the Fish were never quite able to level the score. The Goldeyes (0-1) gave up 11 runs over the first two innings to the Sox (1-0), and that is all the offense the Sox needed. With the 11-7 final, Amarillo got their first ever franchise win against Winnipeg. The Fish actually took the early lead with Ray Sadler getting on base on a walk in the first and then scoring on a RBI double from Reggie Abercrombie. But the Sox responded in the bottom of the first scoring two of their own. Then in the top of the second the Goldeyes were taken down in order. In the bottom of the inning the Sox did their damage, scoring nine on nine hits, with 14 batters stepping to the plate. The Goldeyes mustered a response in the top of the third. "Guys in the dugout still felt like we could win the game," Goldeyes Pitching Coach Jamie Vermilyea said on the Jewel 101 Post-Game Show. "It was good to bounce back after that nine-run inning and put 5 on the board to pull us back in the game a little bit." Luis Alen and Tyler Kuhn led off the top of the frame with two singles. Jake Blackwood then loaded the bases on a walk. Ray Sadler flew out, but up next was Abercrombie who was able to get a single and drrive in Alen. Chris Moore Jersey. Two batters later Webb reached base on an error that scored Kuhn. Casey Haerther then stepped to the plate and hit a three RBI double. Haerther reached 300 RBI for his career on the play. The five runs the Goldeyes scored in the inning cut the Sox lead in half. Great pitching from Kyle Anderson, Chase Johnson and Brendan Lafferty then kept the Sox off the scoreboard through the remainder of the game, as they tried to give their team a chance to get back into the game. The Fish offense didnt go quietly, they were able to get at least one runner on base in every inning from the third on."You have to grind out those at bats," said Vermilyea. "We started doing a good job of that, and we kept hitting the ball hard, but they just werent dropping." The only additional run the Goldeyes were able to score came in the top of the seventh. Donnie Webb got on base with a single and then was driven in by Ryan Pineda on a RBI single. "You take away that one inning and we had a good game," said Vermilyea. "Its nothing to hang out heads on, we have 99 more them." The Goldeyes series against the Sox continues Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m., and wraps up with a game on Sunday at 6 p.m. After this series the Fish will travel south to Laredo for a three game series against the Laredo Lemurs. ' ' '