WASHINGTON — When Dusty Baker first played in the minor leagues at age 18, he never had seen a slider.

“When I went to swing at it, it would like move right at the right time and I thought it was like an anti-bat repellant-type pitch,” Baker said.

Almost 40 years later, that's what the Washington Nationals manager sees in new closer Mark Melancon's cutter. Melancon has continued to use his Mariano Rivera-inspired cutter, his curveball and fastball to near-perfection since the Nationals acquired him from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the nonwaiver trade deadline.

In his first five appearances for Washington, Melancon retired 15 of 16 batters, striking out seven and walking none. He looks to be the solution to the Nationals' closer problem.

Melancon converted 30 of 33 save opportunities for the Pirates this season and is 2-for-2 for the Nationals. That's in stark contrast to 2015 trade deadline pickup Jonathan Papelbon, who allowed eight runs on seven hits in his final three outings before the trade and has three blown saves and a 4.37 ERA.

In 50 games, Melancon has a 1.35 ERA. He credits the seamless transition to Nats catchers Wilson Ramos and Pedro Severino being on the same page with him.

“I'm just attacking guys and trying to get ahead,” said Melancon, a 31-year-old right-hander. “It's been smooth.”

The trade from Pittsburgh to Washington for left-handed reliever Felipe Rivero and pitching prospect Taylor Hearn was the fourth of Melancon's career.

He was traded from the New York Yankees to Houston at the 2010 deadline, from the Astros to the Red Sox in the winter of 2011 and from Boston to Pittsburgh in the winter of 2012.

Melancon is making $9.65?million and likely will get a substantial raise this offseason. He led the majors with 51 saves last season. As a pending free agent, he wasn't shocked he got traded.

With Papelbon's contract up after the season, the Nationals could be among the top suitors for Melancon. But for now, they're in first place in the National League East and trail only the Chicago Cubs for the best record in baseball, so the World Series is their focus.