Left-hander Samy Natera Jr. got the final four outs against the A’s for his first career save in a 4-1 game Sunday.
Natera came in with two on and Nick Kurtz pinch-hitting in the eighth and got a mile-high, 109.9 mph fly to end the Athletics’ threat. He then stayed in with more lefties up in the ninth and retired three in a row after Lawrence Butler’s single to start the inning. The 26-year-old Natera has opened his big-league career by allowing one run in 9 1/3 innings. He probably won’t become the Angels’ closer, but he could continue to be mixed in when lefties are due up in the ninth.