calmer seas

Since returning to duty following a two-game suspension in mid-June, Jonathan Papelbon has been rock solid for Boston. The Mississippi State product, who has endured some stormy times the last couple of years, has worked 3 2/3 scoreless innings and notched three saves, including one on Friday night, in four appearances since sitting June 17 and 18. The suspension was the result of an umpire-bumping tirade in a June 4 game. Papelbon is 16-for-17 in saves this season — he's up to 204 career — and has reduced his ERA to 3.69. It had climbed to 4.50 at one point last month. The fiery right-hander comes under intense scrutiny in Red Sox Nation, but they have to like what they've seen of late.