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Angels' Samy Natera: Notches first MLB victory in relief
Rotowire
Natera (1-0) earned the win over Texas on Wednesday, striking out five batters over two perfect innings in relief.
The Angels built an early lead, and starter Walbert Urena held the Rangers scoreless through four frames. However, Urena also struggled with his control and needed 90 pitches to get through those four innings, so he wasn't able to go deep enough to qualify for the win. Natera entered in the fifth and dominated across two frames, throwing 19 of 24 pitches for strikes and fanning five of the six batters he faced. That earned the lefty his first big-league win in his 11th appearance. Natera was blown up for four runs over two-thirds of an inning July 4 versus Boston, but he's otherwise been lights-out. In his other 10 outings, he's given up just one run on three hits across 12.2 frames while recording an impressive 20:6 K:BB. Natera has logged one save and one hold and could be working his way up to more high-leverage situations given how effectively he's pitched.
Natera picked up the save Sunday against the Athletics. He allowed a hit and no walks while striking out two over 1.1 scoreless innings.
Natera entered with two outs in the eighth inning and finished off the game with little resistance, earning the first save of his big-league career. Since having his contract selected June 5, the 26-year-old has posted a 0.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB across 9.1 innings. Natera could continue to see high-leverage opportunities in a suspect Angels bullpen that lacks a defined closer, with Ryan Zeferjahn, Kirby Yates and Sam Bachman combining for five saves as part of an informal closer committee.
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Angels' Samy Natera: Called up to majors
Rotowire
The Angels selected Natera's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.
Natera has pitched well out of the bullpen in Triple-A, where he has a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 44:18 K:BB across 30 innings. He'll now get a shot with the Angels, and Natera's first call to the mound will officially be his major-league debut. The move corresponds with the Angels designating right-hander Shaun Anderson for assignment.
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