Papelbon impresses after long layoff, Rivero impresses in big spot

Jonathan Papelbon hadn't emerged out of the bullpen gate, Ric Flair's voice booming over the PA system, in a long time. It had been six days, in fact, since Papelbon last appeared in a game, 12 days since he had done it at Nationals Park.

And now here the veteran closer was, asked to protect a 2-1 lead against the heart of the Cardinals lineup, cold as ice after the long layoff.

Which didn't prove to be a problem at all. Papelbon retired the side in short order last night, inducing two groundballs and a popup on all of eight pitches.

So what's the key to sitting around for six days and then getting thrown right into the fire and succeeding?

"Really, more or less, just to mentally stay there," he said. "I really think it's more mental than anything. I don't really think it has much to do with physical. Mentally stay focused."

Papelbon didn't exactly blow away Randal Grichuk, Steven Piscotty and Brandon Moss. His first fastball registered 89 mph on the stadium radar gun. His last one topped out at 92 mph. But he was effective, earning his 13th save in 15 tries with relative ease.

"That was a very undramatic ninth inning, which is what we like," manager Dusty Baker said. "Pap knows how to work. He knows how to train. And he knows how to keep himself ready."

Baker didn't particularly want his closer to sit around with nothing to do for six days, but circumstances dictated it. The last two times the Nationals won a game, they led by at least five runs entering the ninth. The other three games they've played in the last week were losses.

Baker did know Papelbon absolutely had to appear in last night's game, no matter the score, if for no other reason than he desperately needed the work.

"On my scorecard, I had 'NTP.' That means: Needs to Pitch," the manager said. "And pitch he did."

So did the guy who pitched in front of Papelbon. Felipe Rivero put together another scoreless inning in a big spot, stranding the tying runner on base in the top of the eighth.

It was Rivero's ninth hold of the season, his sixth in the last 13 days, evidence of Baker's faith in the 24-year-old lefty.

"The more confidence it seems like he gives us," Rivero said via interpreter Octavio Martinez, "the more you don't want to let him down and do your job as best as possible."