Schmidt shows he's still got the right stuff

SAN DIEGO — From the disabled list and doubt and San Bernardino he came, seven weeks in the wilderness ending in a slow walk to a pitching mound.

Goodness, we barely recognized him.

Jason Schmidt emerged out of a tangled web of sore shoulder and sinking velocity Tuesday looking nothing like the guy who struggled in April and stewed in May.

His fastball popped. His change-up fooled. His stamina held.

Jason Schmidt looked like, um, er, well, Jason Schmidt.

Long time, no see. Long time, no runs. Long time, no doubt.

The Dodgers lost a game but rediscovered a centerpiece during a 1-0 defeat to the San Diego Padres.

Afterward, General Manager Ned Colletti simply shook his head.

"The guy can pitch," he said.

He's been saying that since signing Schmidt to a $47-million contract last winter.

Finally, for the first time, we saw it.

His first start since going on the disabled list in mid-April looked like all those previous seasons' starts that convinced the Dodgers to bring him here.

The Dodgers hoped Schmidt would give them 90 decent pitches.

He gave them 86 often brilliant pitches, altering speeds and locations and entire Padres swings.

"I thought his command of his off-speed pitches was outstanding, considering it was his first game back," said Manager Grady Little. "Usually, that's the last thing a pitcher regains."

The Dodgers hoped Schmidt would leave the game with sound health.

He left amid the sounds of pop and swoosh, using 90-mph fastballs and 83-mph change-ups to hold the Padres to only one infield hit in six innings.

"I was throwing more free and easy. I didn't have to put as much effort into it as I did before.... I don't feel as restricted out there," Schmidt said.

The Dodgers fell out of first place for the first time in more than a month.

But if Schmidt keeps pitching this way, the remaining 104 games should be ample time to fix that.

After watching in luxury box, Colletti could barely contain his grin.

"I loved his velocity and his command," Colletti said.

After watching from the dugout, Manager Grady Little had the same smile.

"I was pleased with everything about his game," Little said.

After showering, the wry-as-usual Schmidt was asked whether his start could have been better.

"I suppose a nine-inning shutout and no-hitter would have been better," Schmidt said.