After taking over with a four-run lead, Joe Nathan gave up two runs and four hits in the ninth Saturday against the Red Sox. Had Joba Chamberlain not pitched the eighth, he probably would have taken over for Nathan at some point in the ninth tonight, likely after the third hit. As it was, Brad Ausmus figured Nathan was still the best option to finish it, and he managed to escape, getting Stephen Drew to fly out to end it. It was Nathan's fourth lousy appearances in the last five, but it still doesn't figure to cost him the closer's role, at least not yet. He will almost certainly need Sunday off now after pitching a scoreless inning Friday and throwing 32 pitches tonight. Chamberlain would also be working a third straight day tomorrow, but he could go anyway.