A two-run lead was trimmed to one with the bases loaded and no outs. Closer Jonathan Papelbon looked ready to surrender the Washington Nationals' earlier comeback with a ninth-inning meltdown.
But then the aging right-handed reliever forced a pop-up followed by a strikeout and fly ball to escape Cincinnati with a 10-9 victory June 5. Still, can the Nats escape worries they may need to trade for a closer for the second straight midseason?
Forget Papelbon's choking incident with teammate Bryce Harper last season. That's history. But Papelbon's job security was tenuous entering the season, given his mediocre final two months after being acquired from Philadelphia July 28, 2015. Papelbon's stats are much like this year -- good on paper, but not dominant.
