As soon as he closed out the Sox’ 6-5 extra-inning victory on Wednesday, Jonathan Papelbon secured the ball that he used to set the new Red Sox franchise record for most career saves (133 and counting). He had it authenticated by Major League Baseball, and then, had one goal in mind for its preservation.

And what was that?

“Keep it away from my dog,” said Papelbon.

Papelbon, of course, has gone on record as saying that the ball used to close out Game 4 of the 2007 World Series against the Rockies was eaten by his dog. That keepsake, apparently, has been lost to history. The ball used for the Sox’ saves record, however, will be spared that inglorious fate. Even so, Papelbon seems less concerned with the ball itself than with the milestone that it represented. The build-up to the saves record had been on the closer’s mind, and so he is now looking forward to pitching without such anticipation to serve as mental clutter.

“Just the fact that it’s over with now, I can stop thinking about it, is real big for me,” said Papelbon. “I can move on. It’s just another step along the way.”