TEMPE, Ariz. — The Los Angeles Angels defeated Francisco Rodriguez in salary arbitration today, and the reliever will receive $10 million rather than his request for $12.5 million.

Despite the loss, Rodriguez tied the record for the highest salary in an arbitration decision, a mark he shares with Alfonso Soriano, who lost his case against Washington in 2006, and Ryan Howard, who beat Philadelphia on Thursday.

The decision was made by arbitrators Stephen Goldberg, Elizabeth Neumeier and Steven Wolf, who heard arguments yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Rodriguez made $7.1 million last year, when he tied for second in the AL with 40 saves. He is eligible for free agency after this season.

Owners won six of eight cases that went to hearings this year.