Speier plunks Hafner

In the ninth inning Tuesday, Travis Hafner of the Cleveland Indians absolutely crushes a pitch from the Angels’ Justin Speier for a game-winning home run.

In the ninth inning Wednesday, with a four-run lead, two out and none on, Speier hits Hafner with a pitch.

“It didn’t look too good, did it?” Cleveland Manager Eric Wedge said.

Wedge said he did not know whether to categorize the plunking as intentional and retaliatory. Speier said it was neither, just “good old-fashioned baseball” in trying to keep the ball inside on a power hitter who punishes mistakes.

“With that type of hitter, you have to try to pitch both sides of the plate,” Speier said. “I was just trying to come in.”

Hafner, who took first base without incident, would not say whether he thought Speier took aim at him.

“I don’t know what was going on his head,” Hafner said.

Did he consider the circumstances odd?

“Strange is a good word,” Hafner said. “Curious.”

The Angels and Indians do not meet again until July 21.

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The Angels fly to Seattle today and face the Mariners this weekend. The Angels last visited Safeco Field in August, when they ruined the Mariners’ pennant hopes with a three-game sweep in which they outscored Seattle, 24-8.

The Mariners have made no secret of their intention to win this season, spending $48 million on right-hander Carlos Silva and trading five players to the Baltimore Orioles for pitcher Erik Bedard. While the Angels have their top two starters on the disabled list -- John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar -- the Mariners have lined up their top three starters -- Silva, Bedard and Felix Hernandez -- for this series.

The Angels won’t entertain thoughts of making a statement this weekend.

“Every game matters,” Speier said, “whether you’re playing in April or September, whether you’re playing an East Coast team or a West Coast team.”

Does Speier consider the American League West a two-team race between the Angels and Mariners?

“Too early to tell,” he said.

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The Angels hope closer Francisco Rodriguez can throw this weekend, in the bullpen and maybe in a game. Rodriguez left Monday’s game because of a sprained right ankle, but the team said Wednesday that an MRI examination did not reveal any torn ligaments or tendons. . . . The Angels also are hopeful that second baseman Howie Kendrick (jammed thumb) will return this weekend. . . . Lackey is scheduled to throw today, limited to fastballs. His return remains targeted for the first half of May. . . . With Mike Napoli hitting a grand slam Wednesday and Torii Hunter hitting one Monday, the Angels hit two slams in one series for the first time since David Eckstein hit two against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 27-28, 2002. . . . Joe Saunders is the first Angels starter to pitch at least eight innings in each of his first two starts of a season since Jack Lazorko in 1987. Lazorko won five games that year, making 11 appearances as a starter and 15 in relief.

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bill.shaikin@latimes.com