Jonathan Papelbon critical of Phillies in return

PHILADELPHIA - Right-hander Jonathan Papelbon makes his uncelebrated return to Citizens Bank Park tonight for the first time since the Phillies shipped him to the Nationals just before the trade deadline on July 28.

The controversial trade knocked right-hander Drew Storen back into a set-up role to make way for Papelbon to handle the ninth inning. The Nationals have struggled since the move, going just 20-25 and leaving Papelbon with only six opportunities to save games.

Papelbon successfully completed all of his chances with the Nationals and remains the only major league closer without a blown save this year, going 23-for-23 including his time with the Phillies.

The Nationals held a two-game lead over the Mets when Papelbon arrived and have now dropped a staggering 9 1/2 games out of first place since. Papelbon, who expected to be heading to a playoff contender, admitted before tonight's game that the results have been disappointing.

"But I think in this game the only thing you can truly ask for is to be on a team that you're happy being on and being in an environment where you have a chance or an opportunity to win," Papelbon said. "And neither one of those two were able to be done with the Phillies. And both of those are the reasons why I came to Washington. All I asked for was a chance to win, and when you have a chance to win, that's all you can ask for - lay the cards out and see how the fold. It is what it is."

Meeting with the Philadelphia media for the first time since the trade, Papelbon said he was proud of his three-plus years with the Phillies, which included two All-Star appearances and 123 saves.

"I was one of the few that wanted to actually win, and I was one of the few that competed and posted up every day," Papelbon said. "That's all I view an athlete or baseball player on. I don't have any regrets."

Papelbon made it clear that he wanted a trade this season. The 34-year-old publicly lobbied to be dealt during a press session the day before the All-Star Game in Cincinnati.

As one of the veterans in the Phillies clubhouse, Papelbon was questioned today as to why he didn't step up as a leader.

"I did," Papelbon responded. "I tried to do certain things. I tried to bring certain things to attention that would make us better. It just seemed that like everything I brought to attention, whether it be with another veteran or pitcher or infielder or outfielder or another veteran guy, it was just like ... To me, I never was accepted in that, 'hey look this guy wants to help our team and make us be better.' They just all kind of all let it fly by the wayside. They never really paid any attention to what I had to say."

Papelbon claimed he was far from the "bad guy" in the Phillies clubhouse. Pressed further on who on the Phillies didn't share his desire to win, Papelbon shied away from burning reputations.

"I think the blame goes all the way from the front office down to the bat boy," he said. "You don't have an organization that wants to win. It's pretty evident. They go out and publicly say 'we're not gonna win.' So what more ... you know what I mean?"

Papelbon has one year remaining on his deal with the Nationals. If 2016 doesn't turn out well in Washington, today may have provided a preview for how Papelbon will react.

"I think, for us, he's been great," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "He's ready to pitch whenever he's been asked to pitch. He makes no bones about 'I have to pitch in this situation or that situation.' If we call down to the bullpen and get him up, he's ready to go. So I know that we'd love to get him in there tonight. That means that we got the lead in the last inning and he has a chance to close it out."

Meanwhile, a reporter attempted to provoke Papelbon by suggesting that the veteran closer likely won't receive an invitation to Phillies alumni weekends in the future.

"I don't like the barbecues at the alumni weekends anyway," Papelbon deadpanned. "So that doesn't really hurt my feelings."