Samy

Natera

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.

It’s the first trip to the big leagues for the 26-year-old southpaw. Natera registered a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a 44/18 K/BB ratio over 30 innings in 20 appearances at Triple-A Salt Lake. He’ll serve in a middle relief role for the Angels.