Joe Nathan records his first one-pitch save

April, 25, 2012
4/25/12
5:14
PM CT
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Joe Nathan needed just one pitch -- a two-seamer -- to get Raul Ibanez to ground into a double play to end Tuesday's game and give Yu Darvish a much-deserved victory.

Of course, Nathan had thrown plenty of warmup pitches before coming into Tuesday's game. But it's the quickest save of his career. He did have a one-pitch out in relief in 2003, but it was in setup. His fewest-pitched save prior to Tuesday was Sept. 13, 2004 at Detroit when he needed three pitches to get the final out. Last night, of course, he got two outs with one pitch.

"For me, it was making sure I go out and pull out a win for [Darvish]," Nathan said. "For him to walk away and not have a 'W' next to his name would have been a shame for sure.
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.

SPONSORED HEADLINES

ESPN Conversations


You must be signed in to post a comment

Already have an account?

103.3 FM ESPN PODCASTS

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Jim Bowden

Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett for his weekly visit to discuss a hypothetical Jurickson Profar for Cliff Lee trade, how he would handle Profar's playing time with the Rangers and more.

Galloway & Company: Elvis Andrus

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus joins Galloway & Company to discuss having Scott Boras as his agent, his new contract and having Jurickson Profar in the lineup.

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Ron Washington

Rangers manager Ron Washington joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett for his weekly visit to discuss Yu Darvish's pitch count and how he spends time in the clubhouse during weather delays.

Galloway & Company: Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan joins Galloway & Company for his weekly visit to discuss the latest Rangers news.

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Reid Ryan

Reid Ryan joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss his new position with the Houston Astros and whether he could see his dad, Nolan, joining him there in the future.

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Jayson Stark

ESPN MLB Insider Jayson Stark joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss if the Rangers are the best team in baseball, what makes them so good and if he thinks the team will trade Jurickson Profar.

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Jim Bowden

Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss Ron Washington's decision to send Yu Darvish to the mound for the eighth inning Thursday night and how he would handle a situation like that if he were still a GM.

Galloway & Company: Rangers talk

Randy Galloway, Matt Mosley and Glenn "Stretch" Smith discuss the latest Rangers news, including the Yu Darvish-Justin Verlander matchup.

TEAM LEADERS

BA LEADER
Ian Kinsler
BA HR RBI R
.302 7 20 24
OTHER LEADERS
HRN. Cruz 11
RBIN. Cruz 34
RE. Andrus 30
OPSM. Moreland .908
WY. Darvish 7
ERAY. Darvish 2.84
SOY. Darvish 91

DALLAS CALENDAR

  •    There are no games scheduled for today.