Jonathan Papelbon gave up two hits, a walk and a run in a single inning of work on Wednesday, but he did get the save.

Journal photo / Ruben W. Perez

BOSTON -- There's no question Jonathan Papelbon is one of the elite closers in MLB.

In fact, he is only the third Boston player ever to be selected as an all-star in each of his first four full big league seasons (Frank Malzone and Fred Lynn were the others).

And even though Papelbon recorded his 22nd save of the season Wednesday night in Boston's 5-4 win, which ranks him second in the A.L., Boston manager Terry Francona said Papelbon has a few kinks that he needs to work out.

After all, he nearly blew the game. With the Red Sox holding a 5-3 lead entering the ninth inning, Papelbon walked the first batter he faced, Adam Kennedy.

"A leadoff walk is not ever what you are looking for," Francona said. "Then the game dictates that you just don't start pounding the zone with fastballs because they have dangerous hitters up that with one swing of the bat, regardless of the wind, you have to pitch a little differently."

Orlando Cabrera then smacked a single to right field and Kennedy advanced to third base on the play.

Scott Hairston drove in Kennedy with a sacrifice fly to deep center field and suddenly it was a one-run game.

Papelbon struckout Matt Holliday for the second out but Kurt Suzuki hit a single up the middle to put runners on first and second base. With the game on the line, Papelbon struckout Jack Cust to earn his franchise-record 135th save.

While Francona was happy that Papelbon and the Red Sox were able to hold on for the win, he wasn't too happy with what he saw from his closer.

"The thing I've noticed a little bit so far is probably command," Francona said of Papelbon. "A first hitter walk in the inning, that's something you don't see too much. He set the bar pretty high. "He's one of the few guys -- [New York Yankees closer] Mariano [Rivera], there's a few, the really good ones -- they can pitch out of innings when it's not perfect.

"It's been hard at times and again, this league is hard . . . It's a tough league and guys make adjustments but he's okay. He's more than okay."

Papelbon is 1-1 on the season with a 1.89 ERA. His ERA is down from last year's 2.34, but his WHIP (1.37) is the highest it has been since his rookie season (1.47).

But Francona isn't worried.

"I still think his velocity and everything is the same," Francona said.

roblee@projo.com