Rafael Soriano worked around a pair of walks in the ninth inning to pick up his ninth save as the Nationals defeated the Mets 5-2 on Friday.

Soriano got two quick outs, but walked Juan Lagares and Eric Young, Jr. to bring the tying run to the plate in Daniel Murphy. Murphy hit a deep fly ball to right field, but Jayson Werth leaped and snagged the ball for the final out of the ball game. Soriano is now 9-for-10 in save opportunities with a 1.06 ERA and a 15/7 K/BB ratio in 17 innings.

Rafael Soriano was a little shaky in earning his eighth save Monday in a 6-5 win against the Diamondbacks, allowing two hits in a scoreless inning.

It's not a surprise that he was a little off his game, as Soriano wasn't expecting to pitch. Washington trailed for most of the contest but surged to a 6-5 lead with two runs in the top of the ninth inning, extending the game with a save opportunity for the veteran closer. Soriano allowed a single, but erased it with a double play. Then Gerardo Parra blasted a ground-rule double to left before Soriano induced a Martin Prado groundout to end the affair. Soriano is 8-for-9 in save conversions with a 1.20 ERA and 1.07 WHIP.

Rafael Soriano took his first blown save of the year after giving up two runs in the ninth Saturday against the A's.

The tying run scored in odd fashion, with Soriano cutting off a throw from left field that had a legitimate chance of getting Josh Donaldson at the plate. What's worse is that Soriano shouldn't have been in any such position to do so; he spaced on his responsibility to back up home plate at the play. The off night on the mound is no big deal -- Soriano hadn't so much as allowed a run in his previous 13 innings this year -- but we wonder what Matt Williams will say and/or do now. Soriano's crime was certainly worse than the one that got Bryce Harper benched.

Rafael Soriano collected his seventh save of the year Wednesday in the Nationals' 3-2 win over the Dodgers.

Soriano struck out Juan Uribe and Matt Kemp in a perfect ninth inning to preserve the Nats' one-run lead. Soriano has a 0.00 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 13 innings this season, and he is 7-for-7 in save opportunities.

Rafael Soriano tossed a scoreless ninth inning Friday against the Phillies to secure his sixth save of the season.

Soriano issued a leadoff walk to Carlos Ruiz, but got Cody Asche to ground into a double-play before retiring Freddy Galvis on a foul pop-up to end it. The veteran closer is a perfect 6-for-6 in save opportunities this season and has yet to allow a run in 11 innings of work.

Rafael Soriano worked into and out of trouble Tuesday to earn his fifth save of the season.

Soriano got two quick outs against the Astros before walking Matt Dominguez and Jonathan Villar to bring the winning run to the plate in the form of the Astros' best hitter, Jose Altuve. But Soriano got Altuve to fly out to end the game. It hasn't always been glamorous, but the 34-year-old is now five-for-five in save opportunities without allowing a run all season.

Rafael Soriano pitched a scoreless innings against the Cardinals on Friday for his fourth save of the season.

Soriano issued a one-out walk to Mark Ellis, but he was able to get Shane Robinson to ground into a double play to end it. The veteran right-hander hander has a 10/1 K/BB ratio over seven scoreless frames so far this season.

Rafael Soriano earned his third save of the season with a perfect ninth inning as the Nationals defeated the Marlins 6-3 on Wednesday.

With concerns about Soriano's age and declining velocity surrounding him entering the season, the right-hander has been lights out in the early going. In six innings, Soriano has struck out 10, walked none, and completed all three of his save chances.

Rafael Soriano cinched his second save of the season as the Nationals defeated the Marlins 10-7 on Wednesday.

Jayson Werth gave the Nationals the lead with a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth, so Soriano warmed up quickly and took the hill in the ninth to get the save. It was not without strife, as Soriano had runners on first and third with the tying run at the plate before recording the final out. Soriano also struck out two, bringing him up to six with no walks in three innings.

Rafael Soriano earned his first save of the season Sunday in the Nationals' win over the Braves.

Soriano was called on to protect a 2-1 lead, and despite allowing two singles he was able to get the job done. The 34-year-old's fastball was sitting 91-92 mph but he was able to strike out two, including getting Jason Heyward swinging to end the game. He may not be the prolific closer he once was, but Soriano still has enough left in the tank to be an effective stopper.

Rafael Soriano gave up a homer in his inning Saturday, but he still lowered his spring ERA from 19.44 to 17.36.

Soriano has allowed nine runs in 4 2/3 innings this spring, even though the homer today by Marcell Ozuna was the first he's allowed and he still hasn't walked a better. He's also struck out eight. However, he's showed diminished velocity and he's given up 11 hits. Most likely, he'll be adequate when the games begin to count. However, he's a poor value pick in fantasy leagues this year.

Rafael Soriano made his spring debut on Friday and allowed two runs and three hits in an inning against the Astros.

We're hoping for a bit more velocity from Soriano this year, though not necessarily on March 7. He seems like one of the weaker value picks among closers right now.

Rafael Soriano dropped 10 pounds over the winter.

Soriano posted a 6.9 K/9 in 2013, well below his career average, and his fastball lost over a mile per hour. "I mean, I don't feel too comfortable about last year, how the game happened for me," the 34-year-old closer said Monday in Nationals camp. "I want to see if I can get a little bit on my velocity, a little bit more."

Rafael Soriano pitched a scoreless ninth inning against the Mets on Wednesday to earn his 41st save of the season.

Soriano hit a rough patch in the middle of August but has now converted nine straight saves. He's yet to allow a run in September, posting a 0.67 WHIP and five strikeouts through six innings. Only the Braves' Craig Kimbrel has more saves in the National League this season.

Rafael Soriano notched his 39th save on Sunday by firing a perfect frame against the Marlins.

The 33-year-old closer has pieced together six straight scoreless appearances, which very well may have saved his job. That successful stretch began in late August, a month in which Soriano posted a 5.84 ERA. He was coming off a 5.23 ERA in July. Over those two months, Soriano was slapped with two losses and three blown saves.

Rafael Soriano picked up his 36th save on Sunday night against the Mets.

Soriano set down the side in order in the ninth inning and had two strikeouts. The 33-year-old closer has put together three straight scoreless appearances and owns a 3.59 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 57 2/3 innings.

Rafael Soriano danced around trouble for his 33rd save of the season Friday against the Royals.

Soriano wasn't expected to be available after pitching the three previous days, but Nationals manager Davey Johnson felt he had no choice after Drew Storen got himself in a jam to begin the ninth. The Nats' closer made things interesting by giving up a two-run single to Justin Maxwell to bring the Royals to within one run, but he was able to retire Emilio Bonifacio and Alcides Escobar to end it. Don't expect to see him in a potential save situation on Saturday.

Rafael Soriano, Tyler Clippard and Craig Stammen are all unavailable for Friday's game against the Royals according to Nationals manager Davey Johnson.

Johnson indicated that if there was a save chance in Friday's game, that Drew Storen would get the call. With Soriano struggling of late, and Storen pitching well since his return from Triple-A, there could be an opening for him to regain the closer's job in Washington.

Rafael Soriano allowed another run but recovered to earn his 32nd save of the season against the Cubs on Tuesday.

Soriano gave up a solo home run to Donnie Murphy, the fourth straight appearance that he's allowed a run, but he struck out two to nail down the save. The Nationals have little to play for so it's unclear whether they'll remove their $14 million man from the closer role, but it'll be tough to justify rolling with Soriano much longer if his troubles persist.

Rafael Soriano blew his fifth save of the season by allowing three runs over an inning of work in Thursday's loss to the Giants.

Soriano had two outs and a two-run lead with Buster Posey at first base, but he then walked Roger Kieschnick and was taken deep by Hector Sanchez to cough up the lead. Though he had converted six straight save chances before Thursday, Soriano would have blown Wednesday's chance if not for a great catch by Denard Span. He holds a 7.84 ERA over his last 13 appearances.