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As trade deadline looms, Papelbon makes most of time with Phillies

The 34-year-old reliever, seeing he may no longer be traded, is adjusting his Philadelphia attitude accordingly.

Jonathan Papelbon tackles teammate Odubel Herrera, who delivered the game-winning hit for the Phillies.
Jonathan Papelbon tackles teammate Odubel Herrera, who delivered the game-winning hit for the Phillies.Read more

SECONDS AFTER Odubel Herrera sent a walkoff base hit into centerfield, Jonathan Papelbon was the first Phillie to embrace the 23-year-old outfielder in between first and second base, tackling him to the ground with a WWE-style maneuver and playfully punching him in the back.

The outspoken reliever took home the win yesterday in the Phillies' 5-4 series finale victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, tossing two shutout innings after replacing Ken Giles in the top of the ninth. Papelbon allowed just one hit, walking one and striking out one.

Over the past few weeks, the 34-year-old righty has made it abundantly clear that he would like to be moved to a contender before the July 31 trade deadline. But Papelbon is still in Philadelphia, at least for the time being, and still pitching at a high level.

"It don't bother me," Papelbon said of the trade rumors after yesterday's win. "I just grind and I just show up to play and get outs. That's all I do."

He makes a valid point. Philadelphia's lone All-Star selection in 2015, Papelbon hasn't been bothered by trade speculation on the mound in the month of July. He's boasting a 1.00 ERA through seven appearances and the Phils have won six of those seven games.

It's been a little over a week since the disgruntled closer said "It's time to you-know-what or get off the pot" in reference to the Phillies' efforts to trade him, but that angry, provocative version of Papelbon was nowhere to be found yesterday.

With the end of July approaching quickly and no solid leads on a possible trade destination, Papelbon seems to be altering his tune, both on and off the field.

He looked genuinely happy to be playing baseball during his two innings of work, breaking out some of his classic fist pumps on the mound and even congratulating third baseman Andres Blanco on a nifty barehanded scoop and laser-accurate throw to first base for the final out in the top of the ninth inning.

"Phenomenal," Papelbon said of Blanco's play, which got him out of a jam. "One of the better plays I've seen in my entire big-league career. I thought he was going to be safe and we were going to be down a run."

After the game, Papelbon was much less talkative than he's been in recent weeks, dodging a number of questions regarding trade rumors.

"No, man . . . haven't heard nothing about it," Papelbon said in response to reports that the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs are no longer pursuing him. "I go to work, and I prepare to get guys out on whatever team I'm on. It don't matter."

The clock is running down on Papelbon's trade hopes, and he may be realizing that his time in Philadelphia will be longer than he once anticipated.

"I have no idea," Papelbon said in response to whether he had thrown his last pitch at home as a Phillie. "You have to ask our general manager that question."