SAN DIEGO -- Yusmeiro Petit knew the bullpen was thin and Shawn Kelley, the Nationals interim closer while Jonathan Papelbon is on the disabled list, was not likely to be available after throwing in back-to-back games and in three of the past four games.
But Petit did not know that he would be called upon to seal the Nationals' 7-5 victory against the Padres Friday night.
But as has been the case all season, Petit delivered when he was called on in whatever situation. At times he has been the team's long reliever, required to eat up multiple innings. At times he has been used late in the game to pitch one inning and even once to matchup against one batter.
"He's like a swiss-army knife," second baseman Daniel Murphy said.
Petit recorded the second save of his career, but first traditional three-out save. His only other career save was of the three inning variety on May 8, 2015 against the Marlins when he was still with the Giants.
"I tried to treat the outing as my regular outing," Petit said through an interpreter. "I didn't focus on it being a save opportunity or not."
Petit now owns a 2.81 ERA in 17 appearances that have displayed the versatility that manager Dusty Baker enjoys.
"He's been our utility pitcher," Baker said. "He can do everything out there."