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BALTIMORE -- Take it from none other than David Ortiz: Jonathan Papelbon would fit in just fine with the Boston Red Sox.I dont know what happened there at the Nationals, but he was a great guy and we would welcome him back with open arms, Ortiz told ESPN Deportes before the Red Sox faced the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night. And we need help in the bullpen. We definitely do.Papelbon requested and received his release from the Washington Nationals last Saturday, making him a free agent. The Red Sox have expressed interest in the 35-year-old reliever, who also has been linked to the Chicago Cubs and likely is getting calls from several other playoff contenders.In addition to a stretch of five consecutive dreadful appearances in which he gave up nine runs on nine hits and five walks in 3 1/3 innings and was replaced as the Nationals closer by the recently acquired Mark Melancon, Papelbons attitude in the clubhouse had become toxic, according to one National League scout.But the Red Sox know Papelbon well. They drafted him in 2003, developed him in their farm system and won a World Series with him as their closer in 2007. Papelbon is the organizations all-time saves leader with 219 over seven seasons from 2005 to 11. And although manager John Farrell has described the high-strung Papelbon as a unique guy in many ways, Papelbon retains a strong relationship with Farrell, second baseman Dustin Pedroia and Ortiz.He started here and the fans love him, Ortiz told ESPN Deportes. Jonathan is like a brother to me. Hes a great guy and an amazing teammate. His teammates were always first to him. It would be fabulous to have him back.The Red Sox continue to sort out roles in their bullpen. Although Craig Kimbrel is cemented as the closer, Papelbon could be a potential solution in the eighth inning, where the Sox have been seeking a replacement for setup man Koji Uehara, who is sidelined indefinitely by a right pectoral strain.On Tuesday, Farrell said he has reached out to Papelbon to discuss a return to Boston, a sign that the Red Sox believe his recent struggles on the mound in Washington arent indicative of an irreversible decline.Theres no question hes a different pitcher now than nine years ago, Farrell said, alluding to a decrease in average fastball velocity from 95.0 mph when Papelbon left the Red Sox after the 2011 season to 90.9 mph this year. Hes evolved as more of a quote-unquote pitcher rather than relying solely on velocity and a fastball that he would attack with. With the exception of a stretch in July where maybe the performance was less than what Pap has been maybe accustomed to, hes been an effective pitcher.In 37 appearances with the Nationals this season, Papelbon posted a 4.37 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 14 walks in 35 innings. Nike Vapormax Plus Wholesale . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Cheap Nike Vapormax China .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament. http://www.cheapairvapormax.com/ . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. Having two big pieces back is going to be a key for us moving forward for years to come," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. Cheap Nike Air Vapormax Plus Sale . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. Cheap Air Vapormax From China .Y. -- Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo had little trouble picking up his first shutout of the season against a Buffalo Sabres team thats having trouble scoring goals. PHOENIX -- Sonja Petrovic had a career-high 22 points, Brittney Griner scored 19, and the Phoenix Mercury won their third straight, 86-75 over the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday night.Griner added eight rebounds and five blocks, DeWanna Bonner had 18 points and Diana Taurasi scored 11 for the Mercury (7-9).Phoenix, seventh in the AP WNBA power poll, opened the second half with a 15-2 run to take a 56-39 lead. The 11th-ranked Sun (3-13) got no closer than 72-64 on Jonquel Jones 33-pointer with 5:50 left.ddddddddddddJones had a career-high 16 points and nine rebounds. Alex Bentley led the Sun with 20 points, Alyssa Thomas scored 18 and Shekinna Stricklen 11.The Mercury opened the game with a 13-2 run and led the entire way. Connecticut trimmed the deficit to four at halftime after trailing by 15 early in the second quarter. ' ' '