BALTIMORE -- The visitor's clubhouse at Camden Yards quickly emptied out after the Red Sox concluded their nine-game road trip with a dramatic 6-5 comeback victory over the Orioles Wednesday afternoon.

Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon was the last one around and an attendance was helping him back his bags. But when he tried to pack two pearly white baseballs, Papelbon quickly said, "No, man. Those are coming on the plane with me."

The two baseballs represent Red Sox history. During this series against the Orioles, Papelbon tied and broke the franchise's all-time saves record, surpassing Bob Stanley.

"Obviously it feels good," said Papelbon. "When I set out to do this, to be the closer for the Boston Red Sox, there were definitely a lot of goals in sight and this was one of them. To finally get it, I can get it out of my head and stop thinking about it and move on."

What took Stanley 13 seasons to accomplish, Papelbon has done in four.

"Good for him," said manager Terry Francona. "He's been so good since he's come into this role. This kid's having a fabulous year. He's growing up. He's getting stronger and he knows his body better. He prepares and when he gets in the game, he's ready to pitch."

Papelbon quickly gave credit to pitching coach John Farrell, bullpen coach Gary Tuck, general manager Theo Epstein and his teammates for helping him accomplish this feat.

He faced the Orioles Nos. 2, 3 and 4 hitters in the bottom of the 11th inning and retired them in order to earn the save. Ironically, it was Baltimore's No. 3 hitter, Nick Markakis, who got the game-winning two-run double off Papelbon on Tuesday night, so the Sox' closer got a little more satisfaction on Wednesday getting those batters out.

"I started [Markakis] off slow and finished him off fast, where [Tuesday] night I started him off fast and it didn't work. No question I definitely wanted that part of the lineup -- for sure."

His next goal now is to stay healthy as long as he can.

"Just keep grinding it out, man," he said. "That's it."

jmcdonal@projo.com