Tigers' Nathan implodes in loss to Indians
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One night after the Los Angeles Angels acquired closer Huston Street from the San Diego Padres, the Detroit Tigers suffered another bullpen meltdown in a 5-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians on Saturday night.
Closer Joe Nathan imploded in the top of the ninth inning, getting touched up for two hits and three runs while walking two to take the loss. Carlos Santana delivered the deathblow via a bases-clearing double with two out, exposing the Tigers' need yet again for bullpen help.
Brad Ausmus said he was considering sending Joba Chamberlain back out for the ninth. But Chamberlain's ankle was bothering him. So Nathan.
— Chris Iott (@Chris_Iott) July 20, 2014
Nathan also has five blown saves to his credit - one shy of his career high from 2008 when he appeared in 68 games for the Minnesota Twins. The righty's ERA jumped from 5.61 to 6.23 with the shellacking, leaving manager Ausmus with multiple questions about what to do in high-leverage situations moving forward.
Some potential trade targets to beef up the 'pen prior to the trade deadline include Koji Uehara, Jonathan Papelbon, Joakim Soria, Brad Ziegler or LaTroy Hawkins.
As demonstrated in Friday's 4-for-2 swap involving Street, the price of acquiring a closer will not be cheap for the Tigers.