Rodriguez drives in seven runs

When Sean Rodriguez was optioned back to Salt Lake on Aug. 5, Angels manager Mike Scioscia made it clear that the demotion -- needed to clear a roster spot for Vladimir Guerrero -- had little to do with the 24-year-old's ability.

"We've seen glimpses of the power he has," Scioscia told MLB.com. "He's putting it together."

On Wednesday night the crowd at Spring Mobile Park didn't just get a preview of that power, they witnessed the extended trailer. Rodriguez homered twice and drove in a season-high seven runs to lead the Bees to a 10-5 win over the Nashville Sounds.

After delivering a two-run single in the first inning, Rodriguez belted a three-run shot to right field in the second and sent a two-run blast over the fence in left in the sixth. When the dust settled, he was 4-for-4 with three runs scored, and Scioscia's parting words never rang truer.

"This guy can play the game," the Angels' skipper told the Angels' website.

He certainly can.

Rodriguez's night was even more impressive given his recent power outage. With a blast on Tuesday night, the former third-round pick ended a stretch of 70 at-bats without a homer.

"I can't say I found it, I can't say I lost it," Rodriguez told the Salt Lake Tribune following Wednesday's performance. "I was coming up with men on base. You've got to be put in that situation."

But when the opportunities arose, Rodriguez had no problem stepping up.

Originally an outfielder, he transformed himself into a quality middle infielder after signing with the Angels in 2003. That versatility paid off when the big league club needed a second baseman, and Rodriguez filled in for 59 games, hitting .203 with three homers and 10 RBIs.

In his most recent stint in the Majors, he played stellar defense in the outfield and went 5-for-25 with two homers and four RBIs.