by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (6/17/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan recorded his 21st save Monday at home against Oakland.
The veteran reliever gave up a walk and two hits as a sacrifice fly scored a run off him in the ninth. That said, he needed 18 pitches to record three outs to close out the 8-7 win. He struck out one batter and his ERA is at 1.91.
Nathan gave up his first run since May 26.
Joe Nathan earns 20th save
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (6/10/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan earned his 20th save Monday night against the Indians. He closed out a 6-3 win.
Nathan went 1-2-3 in the ninth with a strikeout, as he needed just nine pitches and threw eight strikes. His ERA lowered to 1.71.
He has recorded saves in four straight outings and hasn't allowed a base hit since May 26 at Seattle.
Joe Nathan one save away from 20
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (6/9/2013) The Blue Jays got the tying run to second base in the ninth inning Sunday against the Rangers, but Texas closer Joe Nathan shut the door on the threat for his 19th save during a 6-4 win. Nathan allowed one walk and struck out one in a scoreless inning.
He's recorded three June saves and has tossed five straight scoreless outings.
Joe Nathan earns 18th save
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (6/5/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan was called upon to close out a 3-2 ballgame in Boston Wednesday night. Nathan got the job done.
The closer earned his 18th save of the season as he went 1-2-3 in the ninth. He needed just six pitches and lowered his ERA to 1.85 in the process.
Nathan has recorded back-to-back saves now after he'd not had one since May 25 previously. He's back on track now and has 18 saves in 19 chances.
Four-day rest beneficial for Joe Nathan
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (6/4/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan has regained his form following a four-day break from May 27-30. Nathan threw three straight perfect outings over the weekend against the Royals, recording five strikeouts in three innings.
Nathan had five strikeouts in his previous 7 1/3 innings.
"One thing about Joe, it may not always be as easy as it was [against the Royals], but he does know how to get three outs," manager Ron Washington said, per The Dallas Morning News. "He’s been doing it for a long time."
Joe Nathan earns 17th save
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (6/2/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan struck out two and retired the side in order to secure his 17th save Sunday against the Royals.
Nathan needed 14 pitches and improved his ERA to 1.93 after Sunday's 3-1 win. He has pitched three scoreless innings since his blown save May 26.
Joe Nathan can't close out Seattle in extras
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/26/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan was unable to hang on to a late lead as he blew his first save of the season Sunday afternoon against the Mariners.
Nathan surrendered a game-tying, solo home run to Raul Ibanez in the 11th inning. He permitted a run and hit in one inning of a 4-3 win. His ERA rose to 2.21 after allowing his first run since May 14.
Joe Nathan makes quick work of Mariners
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/26/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan made quick work of the Mariners as he picked up his 16th save of the season Saturday night.
Nathan needed just 11 pitches as he retired the side in order to secure a 5-2 win. His ERA improved to 1.86 after making his fifth consecutive scoreless appearance. He has converted his last 17 save opportunities dating back to last season.
Joe Nathan records one-out save with strikeout
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/25/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan was brought into a 9-5 game with two runners on and two outs in the ninth inning Friday and struck out Seattle's Michael Morse to earn his 15th save of the year. It was Nathan's second one-out save of the season, although he allowed two hits and hit a batter in his previous one-out save.
Nathan hasn't allowed a hit in his previous four appearances while lowering his ERA to 1.96.
Joe Nathan secures 14th save
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/22/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan tossed a perfect ninth inning to secure his 14th save during a 3-1 win Wednesday against the Athletics. Nathan, who struck out one, has tossed three straight scoreless outings since allowing runs in back-to-back appearances May 11 and May 14.
Joe Nathan closes out Tigers
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/20/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan earned his 13th save Sunday night against the Tigers.
Nathan, who entered the game in the ninth inning with a three-run lead, worked his way around a leadoff walk as he retired the next three batters to secure an 11-8 victory. He struck out one and improved his ERA to 2.12 after remaining perfect in 13 save chances.
Joe Nathan holds on for wild save
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/15/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan was uncharacteristically wild on Tuesday night as he entered the bottom of the 10th inning attempting to close out a two-run game against the A's.
Nathan had just three walks entering the game, but walked three in the inning. Still, he managed to hold on for his 12th save.
Nathan, who struck out a batter, tied Goose Gossage on the all-time saves list with his 310th. He allowed a run on a hit and the three walks, but somehow got out of the inning. His ERA is at 2.40.
The closer is a perfect 12 for 12 in save chances this year for the first-place Rangers. He has picked up saves in four straight contests.
Joe Nathan cleans up mess for 11th save
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan notched his 11th save Saturday against the Astros. Nathan came on in the ninth inning with two on and no outs in relief of Michael Kirkman.
The right-hander surrendered a run-scoring single to Trevor Crowe and then allowed Carlos Pena to score after throwing a wild pitch. He did get Matt Dominguez to ground out for the first out of the inning before inducing a Marwin Gonzlez run-scoring, sacrifice fly for the second out, which plated the Astros' third run of the frame.
Nathan issued a two-out walk to Robbie Grossman before finally getting Chris Carter to pop up to shortstop for the final out.
Only one of the three runs Houston scored in the inning was charged to Nathan, who is 11 for 11 in save chances.
Joe Nathan collects 10th save
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan notched his 10th save Friday night against the Astros. Nathan came on in the ninth inning with a 4-2 lead and was able to make quick work of Houston.
He retired all three batters he faced, including striking out Robbie Grossman swinging to end the game.
Nathan is 10 for 10 in save chances and has allowed just two earned runs over 13 innings (1.38 ERA).
Joe Nathan thriving despite decrease in velocity
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/9/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan continues to be effective in 2013 despite seeing a drop in velocity. His average fastball velocity has decreased from 94 mph last season to 91 this year, according to MLB.com.
Nathan topped out at 92 mph Wednesday against the Brewers, but he managed his ninth save in nine opportunities. Nathan said his effectiveness has remained because of his command of his pitches.
"I've got a really good feel for both of my breaking balls," Nathan said. "I've gotten a really good feel for a changeup even though I haven't used it. I'm really comfortable with it, throw it a lot down in the 'pen. I just haven't gotten to a spot where I'm like, 'Let's go with a changeup here.' And I've got a really good feel for a two-seamer. That's been a huge pitch for me, especially behind in the count, being able to throw something up there with a little more movement, not just lay a fastball that may be 91, 92, 93. A lot of these hitters see that velocity quite often. So I just try to give them a different look."
Joe Nathan converts ninth save in nine tries
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan remained perfect in save opportunities this year by picking up his ninth save of the season with a scoreless inning against the Brewers Wednesday. He lowered his ERA to 1.50 and owns a 1.00 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB ratio in 12 innings.
Joe Nathan collects first win
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan picked up his first win in Sunday's series finale against the Red Sox. He worked a scoreless ninth with the game tied and was rewarded with the victory when Adrian Beltre hit a walk-off single in the bottom half of the frame.
Nathan also struck out one and walked one in the 4-3 win.
Joe Nathan finally makes an appearance
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (5/4/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan was finally called upon to make an appearance Saturday night against the Red Sox. Nathan, who was last used April 26, looked sharp in his inning of work.
He retired all three batters he faced, including two strikeouts, and needed only 16 pitches to complete the inning.
“I’m a little shocked,” Nathan said before the game about his long layoff.
Joe Nathan picks up save despite allowing three-run homer
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (4/26/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan notched his eighth save Friday night against the Twins. Nathan came on with two on and one out in the ninth inning in relief of Joe Ortiz.
He was able to strikeout Trvor Plouffe on five pitches, but then served up a three-run home run to Oswaldo Arcia, which brought Minnesota within a run.
However, Nathan was able to get Ryan Doumit to fly out to center field to end the game and secure the win.
The veteran was only charged with one of the three runs the Twins plated in the final frame and is now a perfect 8 for 8 in save chances.
Joe Nathan records seventh save
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/25/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan picked up his seventh save of the year Thursday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning while allowing one hit and striking out one in a 2-1 win over the Twins. He has held the opponent scoreless in eight of his nine appearances this year while converting all seven save opportunities.
Nathan owns a 1.08 ERA and 9:1 K:BB ratio in 8 1/3 innings this season.
Joe Nathan gets the job done
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/23/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan was called upon to close out a one-run lead in Los Angeles Monday night. The Rangers took the lead in the top of the inning on a home run and Nathan did his job in a 7-6 win.
He earned his sixth save as he picked up three straight outs after allowing Peter Bourjos to reach base to start the inning.
Nathan, who struck out a batter, has picked up saves in five straight appearances and is 6 for 6 in opportunties.
Wild ride ends in save for Joe Nathan
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/16/2013) It wasn't a pretty ninth inning for the Rangers on Tuesday night in Chicago. Facing the Cubs in an interleague matchup, Texas closer Joe Nathan got the job done for his fifth save.
The inning began with the Rangers up 4-0 and Michael Kirkman on the mound. After getting two relatively easy outs, Kirkman gave up a single and walked a batter. On came Nathan.
The usually sure-handed closer gave up an infield single and a double that plated two runs to make the score 4-2. He then loaded the bases after hitting a batter. In the end, however, Nathan got Darwin Barney to line out on a diving play by the center fielder for the save.
He threw 20 pitches and recorded just one out. His ERA remains solid at 1.42 as both runs allowed were charged to Kirkman.
Joe Nathan picks up save No. 4
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/14/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan entered Saturday's contest against the Mariners with a two-run advantage in the ninth inning. Nathan only needed 10 pitches to retire the side and pick up his fourth save of the season.
Nathan struck out one and did not allow a hit in a 3-1 victory. He has a 1.50 ERA and 0.67 WHIP through his first six innings pitched.
Joe Nathan holds on for save
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/12/2013) Rangers pitcher Joe Nathan worked a scoreless ninth inning for his third save of the season during Texas' 4-3 win at Seattle on Thursday night. Nathan, who was making his first appearance since Monday, struck out one batter and dodged trouble when Jason Bay flied out to the warning track to end the game.
Joe Nathan finishes Rays on questionable call
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/8/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan was needed Monday night at home against Tampa Bay. Texas took a 5-1 lead into the eighth, but the Rays scored twice and Nathan came on to close it out in the ninth.
Nathan didn't make things easy, allowing a run on two hits but struck out Ben Zobrist on a questionable call to end the game and earn his 300th career save. Rays manager Joe Maddon and Zobrist argued, but the Rangers won 5-4 and Nathan earned the milestone save. It's his second save in as many chances.
He has allowed three hits and a run over four innings with four strikeouts.
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/6/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan picked up his first save of the season Friday against the Angels and needs just one more to reach 300 for his career, reports MLB.com.
Nathan, who would become the 24th major league player to reach 300 career saves, wants to reach 400 before he hangs 'em up.
"I'm still going out there, grinding and competing," Nathan said. "It's one closer to 400. It's all about competing and helping get us closer to where we want to be and that's back to the postseason."
Nathan has pitched two scoreless and hitless innings this season with three strikeouts and one walk.
Joe Nathan strikes out the side in non-save situation
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (4/3/2013)Joe Nathan struck out all three Astros batters he faced with a four-run lead in the ninth inning of Wednesday's Rangers victory.
Nathan had not appeared yet in the Rangers' season-opening series against Houston, as the club hadn't faced a save situation. Nathan sat down Chris Carter, Jason Castro and Justin Maxwell on 11 pitches in an impressive 2013 debut outing.
Joe Nathan hangs on to seal win
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/30/2013) Rangers reliever Joe Nathan took the mound in the ninth inning of Friday's exhibition game against the Padres with a two-run advantage.
Nathan retired the first two batters before serving up a solo home run to Jonathan Galvez. He walked John Baker before forcing Rico Noel to pop up for the final out of the game.
He yielded one run on one hit in an inning of work in a 5-4 victory. He also walked one and has a 7.71 ERA this spring.
Joe Nathan stays scoreless
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/24/2013) Texas reliever Joe Nathan made his sixth outing of the spring Sunday afternoon against the Reds. Nathan, who came on in the seventh, tossed another scoreless inning of work and struck out two in a 7-2 victory. He has a 7.50 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP this spring.
Joe Nathan tosses scoreless inning
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/22/2013) Rangers reliever Joe Nathan made his fifth Cactus League appearance Friday against the Rockies. Nathan came on in the seventh to pitch an inning, striking out two with no walks. It was his second scoreless outing of the spring.
Joe Nathan leaves one hanging to Raul Ibanez
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/17/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan made his fourth relief appearance in Sunday's Cactus League contest against the Mariners. Nathan made one mistake during his outing and Raul Ibanez made him pay for it. Ibanez took him deep for a two-run shot in the fourth inning. Nathan allowed two runs on one hit in just an inning of work. He struck out two and walked one as his ERA rose to 11.25 this spring.
Nathan strikes out side
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/11/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan struck out the side on Monday during a Cactus League appearance against San Francisco. Nathan pitched the fifth inning in the game and surrendered a run on two hits without walking a batter and did K the side. His ERA on the spring is a little high at 9.00 to this point, but he said he is confident in his pitches. "I thought today was a very productive day," Nathan told reporters. "I saw my slider having the right shape. It wasn’t too big and guys were committing to it. That lets me know I’m getting close to where I need to be."
Nathan roughed up Thursday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/7/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan endured a rough outing in his second Cactus League appearance Thursday against the Dodgers. Nathan, who came on in the fifth inning, gave up an RBI double to Elian Herrera and an RBI single to Tim Federowicz for his only damage of the afternoon. He allowed two runs on three hits over just one inning of work in a 12-12 tie. He did not issue a walk or a strikeout in the appearance.
Nathan gets some game action
(3/3/2013) Rangers closer Joe Nathan made his first appearance of the Cactus League on Sunday against the Mariners. He gave up one hit over a scoreless inning. The right-hander also walked one while throwing 24 pitches, 14 for strikes. ''I don't know where I am with arm strength,'' said Nathan. ''If it's different, I can't tell. These games are just preparation to get ready for opening day. Regardless of who's standing in the box you want to go out there and get yourself ready.''
Nathan coming along slowly
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (2/14/2013) According to the Dallas Morning News, Rangers closer Joe Nathan will be working about a week behind the other pitchers in camp. “At the age he is, we just want to make sure that any bullets we use down here are necessary,” manager Ron Washington said. Washington has stressed that there is no issue with Nathan's health, but because of a long training camp, the team wants him to bring him along slowly.
Nathan has focus on season
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (2/13/2013) Texas closer Joe Nathan decided not to pitch in the World Baseball Classic for Team USA in order to get ready for the season with the Rangers, reports MLB.com Wednesday. "It's about being smart and wanting to do what's right by the Rangers," Nathan said after the team's first workout on Wednesday. "Just coming in here and having a normal spring seemed like the right thing to do." Nathan said he's healthy. "I threw today and everything was fine," said Nathan. "Last year I got my work in and held up like I normally do. You have your good days and your bad days, but that comes with the territory."
