Joe Nathan #36

Has two children, Cole (11/9/04) and riley (4/4/07)...resides in Knoxville, TN during the offseason...Graduated from suNY-stony Book in 1997 with a degree in Business Management...did not play professional baseball in 1996 so he could complete his degree...Partnered with the Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities and the Detroit Public safety Foundation to provide a $50,000 gift to the Detroit Fire Department to help purchase necessary equipment, supplies and essentials; participates in Autographs for a Cause (donates funds to save It!, the Joe Nathan Charitable Foundation), the Detroit Tigers Autographed Memorabilia Donation and Tigers Dreams Come True programs and attended the Detroit Tigers Winter Caravan and TigerFest.

2014

Finished fifth in the American League with 54 games finished and 35 saves as he completed his first season with the Tigers in 2014...Recorded 30-or-more saves for the ninth season, moving him into a tie for fourth place with Billy Wagner for the most seasons with 30-or-more saves. He trails only Mariano Rivera (15 seasons), Trevor Hoffman (14 seasons) and Lee smith (10 seasons)...Converted 10 consecutive save opportunities from April 17-May 16 -- posted a 0.75 ERA (12.0IP/1er) and 12 strikeouts during that stretch...Recorded the 350th save of his major league career on May 13 at Baltimore...Posted a 0-1 record, four saves and a 3.00 ERA(9.0IP/3er) and 14 strikeouts in nine games out of the bullpen during July...opponents batted just .182 (6x33) off Nathan during the month...Allowed a run in just two of his final 12 outings on the season, compiling a 1-1 record, eight saves and a 2.45 ERA(11.0IP/3er) from August 26-September 28...Lefthanded batters hit .280 (37x132) against him...limited righthanders to a .245 (23x94) batting average...Compiled a 3-2 record, 16 saves, a 4.06 erA (31.0IP/14er) and 32 strikeouts in 33 games at Comerica Park...Posted a 2-2 record, 19 saves, a 5.67 ERA(27.0IP/17er) and 22 strikeouts in 29 games on the road...Posted a 4-2 record, 19 saves, a 5.61 erA (33.2IP/21er) and 35 strikeouts in 36 games prior to the All-star break... compiled a 1-2 record, 16 saves, a 3.70 erA (24.1IP/10er) and 19 strikeouts in 26 games following the break.

2013

Ranked fourth in the American League with 43 saves as he completed his 14th season at the major league level with the Texas Rangers in 2013...Tied for second in the American League with 61 games finished, while he was third with a 93.5 save percentage, fourth with a 1.39 ERA and a .162 opponents batting average, and ranked fourth among American League relievers with six wins on the season...2013 marked his fourth season with 40-or-more saves, tying him for third-most in major league history...Allowed a run in just nine of 67 games on the season, while he retired 52 of 67 first batters faced...Did not allow a home run in his final 45 appearances (44.1 innings) from May 26-September 29...Posted a 1.08 ERA (8.1IP/1ER) over his first nine appearances of the season April 3-April 25...Recorded the 300th save of his career on April 8, 2013 versus Tampa Bay...Converted his first 16 save opportunities on the season before blowing the save on May 26 at Seattle....also ended the majors' fifth longest streak of 36 straight saves converted on the road (last blown save, July 9, 2011 at Chicago)...Named the DHL Delivery Man of the Month for June after posting 11 saves, a 0.63 ERA (14.1IP/1ER) and 15 strikeouts in 14 appearances during the month....also named the Rangers Co-Player of the Month along with Neal Cotts...Converted the save in four straight games June 20-23...Did not allow an earned run over 12.1 innings (12 appearances) from June 20-July 22...Selected as a member of the 2013 American League All-Star team...followed Mariano Rivera in the game, working a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in the American League's 3-0 victory..Had his only multi-run outing of 2013 on July 23 versus the New York Yankees, allowing two runs on 0.2 IP...Finished the season with a 7.0 inning scoreless streak September 19-29 (7.0IP/0ER).

2012

In 1st season with the Rangers, returned to fulltime closer's role for the 1st time since 2009...finished 5th in the A.L. in saves (37) and 4th in games finished (62)...had just 3 blown saves for a 92.5% success rate that ranked 3rd best in the A.L.... that included a streak of 31 consecutive converted saves, April 15-Sept. 12, also a team mark...was Texas' leader in appearances (66), saves, and games finished...had a career-low 13 walks while his 3 victories were the most since 2007 (4)...his 5 losses were a career high. SUMMARY: Issued 4 earned runs in 4.0 innings in his 1st 4 appearances, then posted a 0.36 ERA (1 ER/25.0 IP) over his next 26 appearances, lowering his ERA to 1.52 through June 22...did not allow a run in final 16 games (16.0 IP) of that span beginning May 15...had a 5.79 ERA (9 ER/14.0 IP) over his next 13 games for a 2.91 ERA through August 2...ERA over next 15 contests was 0.64 (1 ER/14.0 IP) and was at 2.35 on August 2...permitted 4 hits and 3 runs, including 2 HR without retiring a batter with blown save and loss on Sept. 13 vs. CLE...was just the 4th game in his ML career where he did not retire a batter, the 1st since August 30, 2008 at OAK...on Sept. 13, was pitching for a 3rd straight day and 7th time in 11 days...allowed 2 runs in 7.0 innings in his final 7 appearances. BY THE NUMBERS: Issued a run in 13 of 66 games, allowed season high 3 runs on 3 occasions...did not permit any of 3 inherited runners to score with 1st batters hitting .188 (12-64) with 2 walks...opponents' batting average of .231 was his highest since 2000 with SF (.255)...was 3-4, 4.17 (17 ER/36.2 IP) in 38 games at Rangers Ballpark, converting 18 of 21 save tries...had a 0.98 ERA (3 ER/27.2 IP) in 28 road contests with saves in all 19 attempts...road ERA was 4th-lowest in A.L. among pitchers with at least 25.0 IP...has converted 24 straight road save opportunities since last away blown save on July 9, 2011 at Chicago-AL...posted a 0.57 ERA (1 ER/15.2 IP) in 16 outings versus the A.L. East, going 9-for-9 in save tries...opponents were 3-for- 26 (.115) with runners in scoring position and 2 outs. STRIKEOUTS: Fanned 78 in 64.1 innings, an average of 10.91 K's/9.0 IP that ranked as 13th-best among A.L. relievers (min. 45.0 IP), the top figure on the club...had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 6.00, 3rd among league relief pitchers...recorded at least one strikeout in 53 of 66 games with a high of 3 K's on 3 occasions... has 839 strikeouts in 794.0 innings for an average of 9.51 K's per 9.0 innings, 10th best in major league history among pitchers with at least 750.0 IP. MISCELLANEOUS: Was 1-3, 3.66 (8 ER/19.2 IP) with 11 saves on no rest and 2-1, 2.42 (12 ER/44.2 IP) with 26 saves with one or more days off...worked on 4 straight days, May 15- 19, his longest such span since 4 days in a row, Sept. 13-16, 2009...pitched in 6 of the Rangers' 10 shutouts...pitched 2.0 innings on July 7 vs. Minnesota, his longest outing since 2.0 innings on August 21, 2009 at KC. AS A TWIN: Was 24-13, 2.16 (111 ER/463.1 IP) with 260 saves in 460 career appearances with Minnesota from 2004- 11...is the Twins' all-time leader in saves, ERA, strikeouts per 9.0 innings (10.90), and opponents' batting average (.186) among pitchers with at least 400.0 innings, ranks 2nd in games finished (394), and is 4th in appearances...also has the lowest WHIP figure (0.96)...surpassed Rick Aguilera as the Twins' alltime saves leader with his 255th save in a Minnesota uniform, Aug. 10, 2011 vs. Boston.

2011

Opened the year as the Twins closer after missing all of the previous season after right elbow surgery...ranked 2nd on the staff in saves (14) and placed 5th in appearances (48)...allowed a run in 16 appearances and permitted 4 of 9 inherited runners to score...had 8 holds and finished 33 games...opponents hit .222 (38-171)...had a 3.04 ERA (9 ER/26.2 IP) at home and a 7.50 (15 ER/18.0 IP) figure on the road...posted a 1.50 ERA (1 ER/6.0 IP) in 6 games vs. the A.L. West...outing on April 3 at Toronto was 1st in regular season since Oct. 6, 2009 vs. Detroit...posted a 2.25 ERA (1 ER/4.0 IP) and 3 saves in his 1st 4 outings but issued 9 runs in 5.0 innings in his next 6 games as Matt Capps became the closer...was placed on the 15-day DL on May 28 with a flexor muscle strain in his right elbow...made 3 rehab appearances at Rochester (AAA) before being activated on June 24...posted a 3.38 ERA (11 ER/29.1 IP) with a .193 opponents batting average in his final 31 games with a 0.68 ERA (1 ER/13.1 IP) over 14 outings from June 28-August 4...had 9 straight scoreless appearances (8.1 IP), June 28-July 17...went 16 straight games (14.2 IP) without permitting a walk, May 21-July 31.

2010

Placed on the disabled list, March 31 with a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow...had season-ending "Tommy John" surgery on March 26 performed by Dr. David Altchek...did not pitch for the Twins in 2010.

2009

Recorded his first save of the season in his first appearance, April 8 vs. Seattle (1.0 ip)...suffered first blown save, April 28 vs. Tampa Bay (win)...did not allow a run in seven consecutive appearances from May 1-14...did not allow a run in 24 consecutive appearances (22.2 ip, three hits, 21 strikeouts) from May 21-July 21 and saved 20 consecutive games during that span (Twins 23-1)...recorded a four-out save (1.1 ip), June 2 vs. Cleveland...named the DHL Delivery Man of the Month for June after not allowing a run in 11.1 innings, striking out 18, holding opponents to a .105 batting average and going 11-for-11 in save opportunities in 12 appearances...finished the first-half with a record of 1-1, 1.31 (34.1 ip, 5 er) with 23 saves in 25 opportunities, an opponent batting average of .153 and 43 strikeouts...selected to his fourth career All-Star team, pitching 1.0 scoreless inning...second win of the season, August 21 at Kansas City, allowing one run on four hits in 2.0 innings, throwing 53 pitches, most since August 20, 2000 vs. Atlanta (with the Giants)...recorded his 45th save, September 29 (Game one), tying Eddie Guardado (2002) for first on the club's All-Time single-season saves list...set a new club record, October 2 vs. Kansas City, recording his 46th save of the season...pitched 1.2 scoreless innings in the tiebreaking 163rd game, October 6 vs. Detroit...converted each of his last 12 save opportunities...Twins went 61-9 in games he appeared in...struck out 11.7 batters-per-nine innings (third in the AL with a minimum of 50.0 ip)...struck out two-or-more batters in 30 of his 70 appearances...finished second in the Major Leagues in saves (Brian Fuentes - 48)...had second-lowest batting-average-against in the American League for a closer (.171)...named co-winner of the American League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award along with the Yankees' Mariano Rivera...given the Joseph W. Haynes Award as the Twins Pitcher of the Year, by the Twin Cities Baseball Writers Association.

2008

Recorded saves in each of his first 13 save opportunities, March 31-May 16...did not allow a run in first eight appearances (8.0 ip), March 31-April 22...did not allow a run in 10 of 11 appearances, going 0-0, 1.64 (11.0 ip, 2 er) with six saves, April 29-May 25...suffered first blown save, May 27 at Kansas City...suffered second blown save, June 14 at Milwaukee...five straight appearances without allowing a hit from June 17-June 26, including a three-strikeout game on June 20 vs. Arizona...converted 13 straight save opportunities from June 17-August 1...fourth three-strikeout game on July 12 at Detroit...was 7-for-7 in save opportunities in 11 July games with a 0.82 ERA (11.0 ip, 1 er)...11 consecutive scoreless appearances (11.1 ip) from July 31 to August 21...fifth three-strikeout game August 11 vs. New York (AL)...back-to-back blown saves on August 30 at Oakland and September 3 at Toronto...recorded 200th career save (199th as a Twin), September 24 vs. Chicago (AL)...pitched 2.0 innings for the second time this season and notched his first win on September 25 vs. Chicago (AL), it was his first victory since September 17, 2007 vs. Texas...converted 39 of 45 (87%) save opportunities and raised career totals to 200 of 224 (89%)...held opponents to a .176 batting average with just 13 extra-base hits (five home runs, seven doubles and one triple)...tied with Mariano Rivera for fourth most saves in the American League...his 1.34 ERA ranked first among all MLB closers with at-least 20 saves and his .176 batting-average-against was third lowest behind Joakim Soria's .169 and Rivera's .165.

2007

Became first pitcher in club history to record 36-or-more saves in four consecutive seasons (Rick Aguilera had 30-or-more from 1990-93)...did not allow a run in first five appearances, going 0-0, 0.00 (5.0 ip) with three saves, April 2-12...suffered first blown save of the season, May 2 at Tampa Bay...did not allow a run in 11 appearances, going 1-0, 0.00 (11.0 ip) with four saves, May 5-30...second blown save of season, but was winning pitcher, June 17 vs. Milwaukee...tied season-high three strikeouts, June 26 vs. Toronto...did not allow a run in 14 of 15 appearances, going 0-1, 0.53 (16.2 ip, 1 er) with nine saves, June 26-July 30...tied season-high 2.0 innings, July 19 vs. Detroit...was 1-0, 0.00 (11.0 ip) with five saves, allowing three hits with 12 strikeouts in 10 appearances, August 4-September 4...did not allow a run in final six appearances (6.1 ip), recording five saves, September 18-30...first-batters-faced in relief were 13-for-61 (.213) with 15 strikeouts...converted 37 of 41 (90%) save opportunities to up career totals to 161 of 179 (90%)...was third in American League in games finished (60) and tied for sixth in saves...over the last four seasons (2004-2007) his 160 saves are tied with Mariano Rivera (NYY) for the most in the American League.

2006

Did not allow a run in six appearances, going 1-0, 0.00 (6.0 ip) with three saves, April 6-25... converted 10 consecutive save opportunities, April 11-June 17...tied career-high six-game win-streak, April 19-July 14...did not allow a run in eight of nine appearances, going 2-0, 0.90 (10.0 ip, 1 er), May 7-June 2... season-high five strikeouts, his most since June 29, 2000 at Colorado (5), May 23 vs. Cleveland...pitched a season high 2.0 innings on four accounts, including three in the month of June...did not allow a run in 14 appearances (14.0 ip), June 22-July 28 and allowed just one run from June 22-August 8 (0.45 ERA)... recorded 100th career save (99th with Minnesota), June 24 vs. Chicago (NL)...became fifth pitcher in Twins' history with 100 saves, June 28 vs. Los Angeles (NL)...recorded his 30th save of the season and 117th as a Twin, passing Eddie Guardado for second on the the Twins all-time saves list September 9 vs. Detroit...walked a season-high three batters, September 11 but picked up the save working 1.1 innings...recorded his 35th save September 24 at Baltimore, becoming the first pitcher in club history to record 35-or-more saves in three consecutive seasons...first-batters-faced in relief were 17-for-62 (.274)...converted 36 of 38 (95%) save opportunities to up career totals to 124 of 138 (90%)...tied for sixth in league in saves.

2005

Did not allow a run in 15 appearances, going 1-0, 0.00 (14.1 ip) with 10 saves, April 5-May 10 . . . converted 13 consecutive save opportunities, April 6-May 24 . . . converted 12 consecutive save opportunities, May 26-July 8 . . . named American League Player of the Week for the week ending July 3 . . . season-high 4 strikeouts, July 10 at Kansas City . . . selected to second career All-Star team, July 12 at Detroit . . . did not allow a run in 17 appearances (19.0 ip), July 16-August 30 . . . converted 9 consecutive save opportunities, July 16-August 30 . . . tied career-high 6-game win-streak, July 20-September 3 . . . tied season-high 2.0 innings, August 27 at Texas . . . did not allow a run in 9 appearnaces (8.2 ip), September 7-October 2 . . . became 3rd pitcher in club history with back-to-back 40-save seasons, September 27 vs. Kansas City . . . averaged 12.1 strikeouts per-9-innings . . . first-batters-faced were 11-63 (.175) with 19 strikeouts . . . had .183 batting-average-against with lefthanders batting .158 (19-120) with 4 homers and righthanders batting .206 (27-131) with 1 homer . . . converted 43 of 48 (90%) save opportunities to up career totals to 88 of 100 (88%) . . . tied for third in league in saves and tied for sixth in games finished (58) . . . established career-highs in strikeouts.

2004

Did not allow a run in 20 appearances, going 1-0, 0.00 (21.0 ip) with 14 saves, April 15-June 4 . . . named American League Co-Player of the Week for the week ending May 16, becoming 11th Twins pitcher (first since Eric Milton, September 12, 1999) to win the award, going 0-0, 0.00 (4.0 ip) with 4 saves, facing the minimum in each appearance . . . converted club record 27 consecutive save opportunities, May 8-August 15 . . . did not allow a run in 28 appearances, going 0-0, 0.00 (29.0 ip) with 19 saves, June 9-August 18 . . . selected to first career All-Star team, July 14 at Houston . . . did not allow a run in 11 appearances (9.0 ip), August 25-September 16 . . . season-high 4 strikeouts and tied season-high 2.0 innings, October 2 vs. Cleveland . . . averaged 11.1 strikeouts per-9-innings . . . first-batters-faced were 11-64 (.172) with 20 strikeouts . . . had .187 batting-average-against with lefthanders batting .212 (28-132) with 2 homers and righthanders batting .125 (20-125) with one homer . . . converted 44 of 47 (94%) save opportunities to up career totals to 45 of 52 (87%) . . . was tied for second in league in games finished and was third in saves . . . established career-highs in saves and strikeouts.

2003

Did not allow a run in first 17 appearances (22.1 ip), March 31-May 6 ... season-high 2.2 innings, May 3 vs. Cincinnati ... career-high 6-game winstreak, June 12-September 27 ... did not allow a run in 9 of 11 appearances, going 0-0, 1.35 (13.1 ip, 2 er), June 21-July 13 ... season-high 4 strikeouts, July 8 vs. St. Louis ... did not allow a run in 15 appearances (15.0 ip), July 18-August 20 ... was 3-0, 0.00 (5.2 ip, 0 er) in 8 appearances, September 10-27 ... was 0 for 3 in save opportunities to up career totals to 1-5 (20%) ... led club in games and was second in wins ... was second in league in winning percentage and tied for fifth in games ... was first among league relievers in wins, fifth in relief batting-average-against (.186), tied for sixth in holds (20) and 10th in first-batters-faced batting-average-against (.171) ... acquired by Minnesota along with pitchers Boof Bonser and Francisco Liriano from San Francisco in exchange for catcher A.J. Pierzynski and cash, November 14.

2002

Spent all of triple-A season with Fresno, but earned Sept. callup to complete comeback from 2000 arthroscopic surgery on right shoulder...made 3 relief appearances with SF, working 3.2-scoreless innings and retiring 11 of 12 batters faced (1h,2so)...inital ML outing of campaign came Sept. 11 vs. LA, marking 1st big league appearance in exactly 2 years (Sept. 11, 2000 at Houston)...fired perfect 9th inning against Dodgers, retiring Eric Karros, Adrian Beltre and Mark Grudzielanek...also worked scoreless frames Sept. 14 vs. San Diego and Sept. 19 at LA, before tossing 0.2-inning in regular season finale Sept. 29 vs. Houston...made 31 appearances, including club-high 25 starts, at Fresno, going 6-12 with 5.60 ERA...ranked 2nd on Grizzlies staff in innings pitched (146.1) and 3rd in strikeouts (117)...worked at least 6.0 innings in 13 of 25 starts...was outstanding in April, logging perfect 4-0 mark with 2.83 ERA (9er, 28.2ip) in 5 starts to earn Fresno's Player of Month honors.

2001

Spent 1st full season back in minors since 1998...split campaign between triple-A Fresno and double-A Shreveport as he battled back from shoulder surgery following 2000 campaign...combined to go just 3-12 with 7.29 ERA (88er, 108.2ip) in 31 games (17 starts)...struggled as starter with both clubs before posting 2.70 ERA (8er, 26.2ip) in his last 14 outings of year out of bullpen with Shreveport...was 1-9 with 8.78 mark (80er, 82.0ip) in his 17 starting assignments on campaign...was optioned to Fresno March 26...struggled during his stint with Grizzlies, going 0-5 with 7.77 ERA (40er, 46.1ip) in 10 starts...surrendered .333 batting avg. (63-for-189) and 13 home runs...was transferred to Shreveport June 5...worked out of Swamp Dragons' rotation over 1st 7 outings, going 1-4 with 10.09 ERA (40er, 35.2ip)...after yielding 11 runs (10 earned) in 4.0-inning effort vs. Wichita July 8, was moved to bullpen...responded by allowing runs in just 4 of his 14 relief efforts...in fact, fashioned 1.80 mark (2er, 10.0ip) in his final 6 outings.

2000

Had promising season cut short due to shoulder ailment, logging 2 different stints on Disabled List (May 17-June 6 and July 14-Aug. 18)...despite injuries, posted 5-2 mark with 5.11 ERA (46er, 81.0ip) in 15 starts, while yielding .252 batting average (76-for-302)...in 5 relief appearances, had no record with 5.84 ERA (8er, 12.1ip) and .277 batting average against (13-for-47)...without his 2 losses to Colorado at Coors Field (16.61 ERA), was 5-0 with 3.73 ERA (30er, 72.1ip) in 13 starts at sea level...yielded 3 earned runs-or-less in 10 of 15 starts (66.7%), while working 6.0-or-more innings 9 times in 15 starts (60.0%)...struggled with control, yielding 63 walks...averaged 6.1 walks per 9.0 innings (93.1ip)...yielded 4-or-more free passes in 8 of his 15 starts...posted 3-0 ledger with 2.63 ERA (14er, 48.0ip) in 9 games (7 starts) at Pac Bell Park with opponents hitting just .206 (35-for-170) with 2 HRs...made just 2 starts in 2nd Half (July 13 vs. Oakland) after going on DL July 14-Aug. 18 with right shoulder inflammation...marked 2nd time on DL, missing May 17-June 6 with right shoulder tendinitis...lasted only 2.1 innings in his last start Sept. 11 at Houston, surrendering 6 runs on 5 hits, including 3 HRs...appeared 4 times in relief after Aug. 18 activation, logging 12.1ip while yielding 5er (3.65 ERA)...made 3 rehab starts with triple-A Fresno during last disablement, going 0-2 with 4.40 ERA (7er, 14.1ip)...lasted only 1.0 frame in his last start prior to being placed on DL, July 13 vs. Oakland...had trouble getting loose after working out of bases-loaded jam...in 7 starts between 1st 2 Disabled List stints, was 3-1 with 3.51 ERA (16er, 41.0ip)...was on DL May 17-June 6 with tendinitis in right shoulder...made 2 rehab starts (1 with San Jose and 1 with Bakersfield), going 1-1 with 4.35 ERA (5er, 10.1ip)...however, made his 1st relief appearance since May 30, 1999 (at Montreal) in his last appearance prior to All-Star Break...was roughed up for 3 runs on 2 HRs in 1.0 inning July 9 at St. Louis (Ray Lankford and Craig Paquette)...went 5-for-32 (.156) with 2 HRs and 3 RBI as hitter...clubbed HRs off Cincinnati's Dennys Reyes (June 12) and Colorado's Masato Yoshii (June 29).

1999

Spent almost half season with San Francisco and proved to be one of club's most successful starters down stretch...in 13 Major League starts, went 7-3 with 4.09 ERA (37er, 81.1ip)...also made 5 relief appearances, going 0-1 with save and 5.00 ERA (5er, 9.0ip)...logged 3 different stints with Giants (April 20-June 1, Aug. 4, and Aug. 16-end of season)...was 5-2 with 4.10 ERA (27er, 59.1ip) in 10 starts during final recall...limited opponents to .236 batting AVG (54-for-229) during that stretch...logged 6.0 or more innings in 9 of 14 starts for Giants, including one 8.0-frame effort and three 7.0-inning outings...yielded 3 earned runs or less in 9 of 14 starts for SF (64.3%)...was recalled from Double-A Shreveport April 20, taking roster spot of Barry Bonds, who was placed on Disabled List after undergoing left elbow surgery...took rotation spot of Mark Gardner, who was disabled with discomfort in right shoulder...won Major League debut April 21 vs. Florida, tossing 7.0 scoreless innings in 4-0 victory...became 1st Giant starter to toss at least 7.0-shutout frames in big league debut since Mike Remlinger tossed 3-hit whitewashing of Pirates June 15, 1991...won each of 1st 2 ML outings to become 1st SF pitcher to do so since Fernandez in 1996...however, received no decision May 3 at Pittsburgh, in eventual 9-8 Giants loss...left with 7-4 advantage, but Pirates plated 4 runs in 9th off Robb Nen to register victory...earned 1st ML save May 16 at Houston, working scoreless 11th to preserve 5-4 victory...struck out Jeff Bagwell with runner on 3rd base to close out contest...made triumphant return to big leagues Aug. 16, defeating Montreal 7-4...after yielding run in 1st, settled down to retire 13 of his next 14 batters faced and did not allow another run during 6.1 inning stint...also registered his 1st 2 Major League hits, singles off Tony Armas, Jr...hit .179 (5-for-28) with 1 run, 2B and RBI on big league level...in 2 starts for Shreveport, went 0-1 with 3.12 ERA....was sent to Triple-A Fresno, where he logged 6-4 ledger with 4.46 ERA in 13 starts from June 1-Aug. 16.

1998

Made great strides in 2nd season on mound, splitting campaign between Single-A San Jose and Shreveport...finished 4th in California League with 3.32 ERA while with San Jose...his 128 combined strikeouts was 4th in organization...raced out of gates with San Jose, winning 5 of his 1st 7 decisions and logging 3.18 ERA (24er, 68.0ip) in 13 starts...shared Giants' Player of Month honors for San Jose in June by going 3-1 with 1.14 mark (4er, 31.2ip) and 37 strikeouts...was also tabbed Howe SportsData California League Pitcher of Week for June 8-14 when he allowed no earned runs in 3 consecutive starts June 3-14 (19.0ip,9h,1r,0er,7bb,24so)...was promoted to Shreveport in July, going 1-1 with 3.60 ERA (4er, 10.0ip) in 2 starts before returning to San Jose...after making 3 starts for Giants, he returned to double-A and lost each of his 2 starts for Captains (18.56 ERA).

1997

Made transition to pitcher and appeared in 18 games (5 starts) for rookie-league Salem Keizer...ranked 2nd in Northwest League with 2.47 ERA...was 3rd on Volcanoes in games (18) and 4th in innings (62.0)...opened year as reliever, going 0-1 with 2 saves and 2.08 ERA (7er, 30.1ip) over 13 outings...started each of last 5 outings, posting 2-0 mark with 2.84 ERA (10er, 31.2ip).

1996

Did not play, returning to finish his college degree at SUNY Stony Brook.

1995

Opened his professional career at rookie-level Bellingham as shortstop...was named Howe SportsData Player of Week for Northwest League July 31-Aug.6 after going 7-for-17 with 2 HRs and 5 RBI...finished season with 3 HRs and 20 RBI.