Joe Nathan remains a work in progress for the Twins, but the four-time All-Star is 2-for-2 in save opportunities a little more than one year removed from Tommy John surgery.
Nathan passes another test in return to New York
The elements and the setting added to the drama, as Nathan notched his second save.
April 6, 2011 at 4:38PM
As Jim Souhan said on our video last night, Nathan's 1-2-3 10th inning might have been the biggest development for the Twins on Tuesday night.
Manager Ron Gardenhire said, "This is a good one for Nate, another one of those tests along the way that he's going to have to have, pitching in New York and all those things."
Nathan had blown his last two save opportunities in New York, including Game 2 of the 2009 Division Series, when Alex Rodriguez hit his two-run game-tying home run.
Nathan admitted he thought about that, which added to the drama. He also was coming off a high-wire act in Toronto on Sunday. And then there were the cold, windy conditions in New York.
"It seemed almost like we were throwing ice cubes out there, it was so cold and dry," Nathan said.
Nathan's fastball velocity was about the same as Sunday, averaging just over 90 mph, according to the Pitch/FX data on BrooksBaseball.net. But after throwing 19 curve balls in his 31-pitch outing in Toronto, Nathan was back to trusting his slider.
The lingering concern moving forward is that Nathan isn't generating the swing-and-misses that he used to. He had just one in Toronto, and one Tuesday, on the 90-mph fastball that struck out Derek Jeter to end the game.
After weaving through the heart of the Blue Jays lineup last Sunday (Jose Bautista, etc.), Nathan didn't have to face A-Rod, Mark Teixeira or Robinson Cano. He retired Brett Gardner (grounder to third), Curtis Granderson (grounder to second) and then Jeter.
"I think I was in a little better control of myself, as far of emotions," Nathan said. "I had adrenaline, but I was in a lot better control. As far as pitches, I think I had good movement. I was a lot more relaxed tonight. Everything felt like it was coming out of my hand good. I'm not worried about velocity at all, but it felt like it was carrying better."
Matt Capps went two innings but needed just 16 pitches to do it, so he'll likely be in line to close Wednesday's game if there's a save situation at Yankee Stadium.
The Twins don't want to test Nathan on back-to-back days for now, but by Thursday he'll be in line to do it again. Tuesday's game was a sign that the Twins can count on him.
A Minneapolis man who loves going to baseball games and nabbing souvenirs had the chance of a lifetime bounce away. But the story of the human spirit has a happy ending.
