Francisco Rodriguez blew a save one week into the season, and he worked one 1-2-3 inning in his first nine appearances.
But the Angels' closer has not blown another save. He leads the major leagues with 17 saves, in 18 chances. In his last 11 innings, he has given up one run, six hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.
He has not forgotten his detractors, those who wondered whether the dominance would return.
"A lot of people panicked when I blew the save," Rodriguez said. "I know what I'm capable of. I work hard every day, like I always do."
Rodriguez led the American League in saves in 2005 and 2006. He said he has no particular goal this season.
"Stay healthy, I guess," he said. "I don't have to prove to anybody what I can do. I've already proved it."
He said he does not worry about a potential salary drive, about a pending free agency that could land him a long-term contract for perhaps $15 million per year.
"What happens after the season is going to happen," he said. "It's hard not to think about it, but I don't really pay attention to it."
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Ask Jason Schmidt about any aspect of his recovery from shoulder surgery, with one exception.
"Don't ask me about velocity," said Schmidt, who did not appear to be joking. "The next guy that asks me about velocity, I'm not going to do another interview for the rest of the year."
Schmidt's fastball velocity fell from 95 mph during his peak years to 90 mph in his last year with the San Francisco Giants to 85 mph last spring, after the Dodgers signed him to a three-year, $47-million contract.
He underwent shoulder surgery and is now on a rehabilitation assignment. He was clocked from 86 to 90 mph Saturday, when he threw 34 pitches over 2 1/3 innings -- all fastballs and changeups -- for Class-A Inland Empire. He is expected to make another rehabilitation start this week.
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For the second time in three games, Dodgers backup catcher Gary Bennett had a play at first base but overthrew the base.
Manager Joe Torre suggested that the problem was mental. Bennett has appeared in only 10 games this season and was working on his throwing in the bullpen.
"Sometimes when you think about something you never pay attention to, that's what causes the problem," Torre said. "If you trip going down the steps and you start thinking about walking down the steps, you're probably going to trip again.
