Papelbon goes two innings, earns win in dramatic extra-inning 5-2 win vs. Braves

The Nationals grabbed a dramatic victory in 10 innings Friday, thanks to a pinch-hit three-run homer from Michael A. Taylor, a 5-2 win over the Atlanta Braves.

Jonathan Papelbon (3-1) notched his first win as a National by extending to two innings, allowing two hits but no runs while striking out one.

"He's a gamer," said left-hander Matt Thornton, who got two critical outs in the fifth. "He's going to take the ball. It doesn't matter if we're losing by two and they want him to pitch or throw two innings. (He's) going to be ready at any time right now. He's just like the rest of us out there and ready to take the ball any time they need us to."

"He's going to go out there and compete," said left fielder Matt den Dekker, who delivered a clutch, game-tying RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. "Just playing against him in the past, you see it from him every time he goes out and he's going to give you a chance to stay in the game. He was great for us."

Papelbon has been through big games like this many times in his career. And as he smiled and enjoyed the postgame good feelings, he half-jokingly requested the fans step up, too.

"It's up there," Papelbon said of the win. "These games from here on out are going to be playoff-type games and playoff-type atmospheres. I got a little bone to pick with some of the fans here tonight. I saw a few of them sitting down. I'm not going to lie. We need to stand on up in those situations. Let's get that going, you know what I mean, because this is playoff baseball."

Can a win such as this carry over into the next game?

"One-hundred percent," Papelbon said. "This time of year is all about momentum. And if we can keep that and carry that the rest of the season we should be pretty good. I like our chances."

Papelbon's outing was unusual because of the game situation. He arrived in the top of the ninth, not in a save opportunity but with his team down 2-1.

Then, Papelbon was extended by manager Matt Williams for another inning into the 10th. The Nationals won it on the Taylor homer in the bottom of that inning.

Afterwards, he didn't seem bothered by the extra work.

"I've always told him, 'I'm good to go,' " Papelbon said of his conversations with Williams. "You throw me when you need me. No need to ask me any day. I'm going to do everything I can do to prepare every day. If something happens where I just simply can't, I'll let him know. Other than that, ready to pitch."

As he discussed the win, the television in front of his locker showed the Marlins walking off with a victory over the first-place Mets, 6-5 in 11 innings, in Miami.

Suddenly, the Nationals' deficit in the National League East is down to five games.

He was asked how important this win was now that the Mets had lost?

"It's not going to be one game," Papelbon said. "It's not going to be a series here or there, it's going to be us being able to keep the momentum that we have right now and carrying that throughout the rest of the season 'til the last game of the regular season.

"Turn the page. Let's go. It's momentum."