Nathan asks Twins to help Rangers out

By T.R. Sullivan and Master Tesfatsion

September 28, 2013

ARLINGTON -- Rangers closer Joe Nathan has preached all week that if the club doesn't take care of business at home, watching the scoreboard will be irrelevant. But that doesn't mean he hasn't sent a message to his former team asking for a little help.

Nathan said he's texted Twins manager Ron Gardenhire recently to get a few wins against the Indians, whom the Rangers trailed by a game in the Wild Card standings entering Saturday's contest.

"Let's rally the troops," Nathan told Gardenhire. "Let's go. Get them riled up."

He's not alone. Jason Frasor has also texted some of his former Blue Jays teammates for a hand during their three-game series against the Rays. Toronto won, 6-3, on Friday, which brought the Rangers within a game behind the Rays. With the loss, the Wild Card seedings won't be finalized until at least the final game of the regular season. Both Tampa Bay and Cleveland also played day games Saturday.

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields, and follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger. Master Tesfatsion is an associate reporter for MLB.com.