New pitch, same story for Papelbon

The language is something out of Dennis Eckersley's vocabulary ("gas," "cheese"), but last night Papelbon became the first Red Sox reliever to record two 30-save seasons.

Papelbon recorded four outs, striking out Gomes in the eighth and fanning two more Devil Rays in the ninth before getting Akinori Iwamura to pop out to end the 8-6 win.

"This was the goal I set for myself," said Papelbon, who had 35 saves last season. "To be a dominant closer year after year . . . I feel like I was meant to be a closer."

You wonder what Papelbon and the Red Sox were thinking in the offseason and spring training. There was concern over Papelbon's shoulder after he suffered a subluxation last Sept. 1, ending his season, but he recovered and built up his arm to ridiculous strength.

He feels so strong that he was able to get four outs with the "slutter," a blazing fastball, and everything in his being.

He was dominant.

The Red Sox have managed him very closely, making sure Papelbon doesn't get overworked, and that handling -- which some would call babying -- has worked wonders. Papelbon feels strong, with no signs of wear and tear. There aren't many closers who feel refreshed in the third week of August. But this one does.

It has to silence those who still believe that Papelbon is better suited to be a starter.

You hear it all the time: "Anyone can be a closer." Or: "Anyone can pitch the ninth inning."

Sometimes it's difficult to disagree, because the ninth inning shouldn't be different from the eighth or the seventh. But it is. Which is why when you look back on the story of the 2007 Red Sox, one of the most significant decisions -- if not the most -- was Terry Francona stepping in to decide that Papelbon was going to be a closer and not a starter.

We've certainly heard different versions of how it went down. Papelbon had an epiphany that he needed to be a closer and not a starter. Yada, yada, yada.

It doesn't really matter now. The fact is, the right decision was made.

"Turn the page" was Papelbon's message to those who believe he's more valuable as a starter.

"I know that's a valid argument," he said. "I'm happy and content with the decision."