Saul Rivera #52

Game-By-Game Highlights: Fanned 2 in 2.0 perfect innings in '07 debut, April 16 vs. ATL...picked up first of 3 saves (2nd of career), April 20 at FLA, closing out a 14-inning 6-5 win...recorded 4 outs to nab 3rd career save, 2nd of 2007, in an 8-5 victory on June 8 at MIN...worked a season-high 3.0 innings, July 25 at PHI. 2006 One of the Nationals' true unexpected surprises of the 2006 season...went 3-0 with 9 holds, one save and a 3.43 ERA in 54 games out of the bullpen for Frank Robinson after being recalled for good on May 23...the 9 holds ranked 3rd among Nationals behind only Jon Rauch (18) and Mike Stanton (10)...stranded 21 of 30 inherited baserunners (70%) to rank 3rd among NL rookies (ATL Macay McBride-79.6% and SDP's Cla Meredith-76.3%)...originally had contract purchased by the Nationals on April 14, but did not pitch and was optioned back to Triple-A New Orleans on April 19...walked one in 0.2 scoreless inning and earned a hold in big league debut on May 25 vs. HOU...in first 8 appearances, Washington went 7-1...worked scoreless relief in 10 of first 11 big league appearances...was significantly better after the All-Star break (3-0, 7 holds, 2.04 ERA) than before (0-0, 2 holds, 6.10 ERA)...strung together season-best 10.1 consecutive scoreless innings from July 6-August 5...closed strong, going 2-0 with 5 holds and a 0.54 ERA (1 ER/16.2 IP) in 15 Sept./Oct. appearances...all 3 wins in 2006 came at RFK...in 12 appearances on zero days' rest, posted a 1.08 ERA (1 ER/8.1 IP)...stranded 21 of 30 (70%) inherited baserunners...allowed 8 runs (7 earned) in just 0.1 inning on July 5 vs. FLA...without that appearance, ERA would have been 2.40...allowed just one hit and fanned 6 while firing 7.0 scoreless innings in 5 appearances against NL East-champion NYM...retired 30 of 54 (56%) first batters faced...opponents hit .151 (16-for-106) when the count reached 2 strikes...when appearing, Washington went 27-27.
Game-By-Game Highlights: With tying and winning runs on first and second base, respectively, retired Chipper (K) and Andruw Jones (popout) to record first save of career via a 7-6 win on August 25 at ATL...worked a 1-2-3 9th on July 26 vs. SFG and was rewarded with first big league victory as the Nationals scored twice in the bottom of inning to win, 4-3...worked season-high 3.0 innings thrice: October 1 vs. NYM, July 28 at LAD and July 3 vs. FLA. 2005 Thanks to 70 K's and just 20 walks in 76.2 innings with Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League, posted career-best 3.5/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio...ERA in the 9th inning was 1.88 (5 ER/24.0 IP)...went 1-2 with 5 saves and a 1.42 ERA (5 ER/31.2 IP) in 19 appearances on the road. In Minor Leagues: Posted a 0.86 ERA in 9 May appearances...struck out a season-high 5 in 2.2 innings on May 26 at Reading...thanks to 7.1 scoreless innings, earned 3 saves in as many appearances, May 30-June 8. 2004 Combined to go 2-3 with 3.98 ERA (24 ER/54.1 IP) pitching for both Harrisburg and Huntsville of the Double-A Southern League...struggled, posting a 7.71 ERA in the Eastern League before being dealt to MIL on June 6...pitched well thereafter, registering a stellar 1.62 ERA in 26 appearances with MIL's Huntsville affiliate. 2003 Did not pitch in 2003...had surgery to repair ulnar-collateral ligament in right elbow on May 8...procedure was performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, AL. 2002 After being claimed off waivers by NYM in November of '01, spent half of '02 season with Binghamton of the Double-A Eastern League before being dealt to the Expos in a 7-player trade that sent, among others RHP Scott Strickland to the Mets and LHP Bruce Chen to Quebec...combined on 16 saves and a 3.12 ERA for the 2 clubs...13 of the 16 saves came in 30 appearances while pitching for Binghamton. 2001 Went 5-2 with 13 saves and a 3.16 ERA in 33 games out of the bullpen for New Britain of the Double-A Eastern League...started strong, earning 2 wins and 4 saves in first 6 appearances, which spanned 7.2 scoreless one-hit innings, April 7-18...fanned only 3 batters faced, April 13 vs. Portland...fanned at least one batter in 29 of 33 EL appearances...walked more than one batter only twice in those same 33 games...finished game in 27 of 33 outings. 2000 Won career-high 9 games pitching predominantly for Fort Myers of the Single-A Florida State League...ranked 3rd among FSL relievers in strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched (11.43)...went 8-0 with 4 saves and a 3.42 ERA through the end of May. 1999 Took major step forward with stellar season, going 4-1 with a 1.42 ERA in 60 games out of the bullpen with Quad City of the Single-A Midwest League...ranked among MWL leaders with a career-high 23 saves (2nd), 13.2 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched (3rd) and 54 games finished (3rd)...led the league in appearances. 1998 Posted a 2.25 ERA in 23 games during professional debut with Elizabethtown of the Rookie-level Appalachian League...ranked 3rd in the Appy League in games finished (21)...stellar performance, specifically batting average against of .151 and 16.3 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched, spoke to degree of domination.