36 Joe Nathan, RP

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.

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.

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.

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).

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."