Angels' Ricky Nolasco: Smooth in rescheduled start Thursday

Nolasco (2-2) gave up an earned run on three hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Athletics. He struck out four.

Analysis:

Nolasco saw his turn delayed by a couple of days as he worked through reported mechanical issues, and the extra time to hone his craft appeared to pay off. The 34-year-old fired 61 of 98 pitches for strikes and recorded 11 swings-and-misses overall, notching a second consecutive strong start. The veteran righty also avoided the long ball altogether for the first time in five trips to the mound this season, while the sole earned run he surrendered marked his lowest figure in that category thus far this season. Nolasco will look to keep the momentum going in a road start against the Mariners next Tuesday.