SEATTLE, July 14 (UPI) -- Joe Nathan struck out Dustin Ackley in the ninth inning with the tying run on third base Friday to preserve a 3-2 win for the Texas Rangers over Seattle.
The Rangers had a 3-0 lead going into the ninth, but Nathan and the Texas defense struggled to nail down the victory.
Nathan gave up three straight one-out singles in the ninth and a run scored when Michael Young committed a fielding error at first base on a grounder off the bat of Michael Saunders.
Nathan then threw a wild pitch to let in another run and walked Carlos Peguero to put runners on first and third.
The Texas closer finally got Ackley swinging and Nathan, despite his troubles, recorded his 18th save.
Ian Kinsler singled in the first Texas run in the fifth and Adrian Beltre hit a two-run homer in the sixth off Seattle starter Kevin Millwood (3-7).
Derek Holland (6-4) collected the victory by throwing 7 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed four hits and struck out four.
Holland loaded the bases with one out in the fourth, but escaped the jam.
