Rodney rebounds quickly after first blown save

Any concerns the Tampa Bay Rays had about Fernando Rodney after he blew his first save Saturday, allowing a two-run walkoff homer to Boston's Jarrod Saltalamacchia, were quickly alleviated on Sunday.

After the Rays took a 4-3 lead in the ninth, Rays manager Joe Maddon went right back to Rodney, enjoying the irony that the first batter he'd faced would be Saltalamacchia.

Rodney, who told the staff he not only felt good enough to pitch Sunday but wanted to, handled it extremely well, retiring Saltalamacchia, and the next two Red Sox hitters, in order, and needing only 12 pitches total.

"The way he went about his business (Sunday) after last night there was no tap dancing, there was no concern about what had happened," Maddon said. "He was a true pro. It was great to see."

Rodney, who had recorded 15 straight saves before Saturday since joining the Rays, said he expected nothing less.

"I got in my heart today that if I come in the game, I know I can do my job,'' Rodney said. "And that's what I did."