{"id":25652,"date":"2017-03-31T11:17:22","date_gmt":"2017-03-31T11:17:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=25652"},"modified":"2017-03-31T11:17:22","modified_gmt":"2017-03-31T11:17:22","slug":"nolasco-gets-opening-day-nod-angels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/sports\/nolasco-gets-opening-day-nod-angels.html","title":{"rendered":"Nolasco gets opening day nod for Angels"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tNolasco gets opening day nod for Angels<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tNolasco gets opening day nod for Angels:- Ricky Nolasco has pitched nearly 300 major league games, and he's had a good spring. That resume earned the right-hander a prime spot in the Angels rotation.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tLos Angeles manager Mike Scioscia named Nolasco the Angels' opening day starter after a 3-2 win over the Dodgers in the Freeway Series opener Thursday night.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\t"There are a number of guys we could have chosen," Scioscia said. "But looking at how he finished last year and how well he's been pitching for us, I think Ricky can handle the opening day hoopla and give us a chance to win."<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe Angels lacked a defined ace, but Nolasco has already made three opening day starts in his 11-year career.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tStill, he's 108-103 with a 4.52 ERA. After coming to the Angels in a trade-deadline deal last season, he went 4-6 in 11 starts but with a 3.21 ERA. He went 1-1 with a 3.52 ERA in four spring appearances to earn the opening day honor.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\t"It would mean a lot to anyone," Nolasco said. "But it's one start in 34. I'll be mentally focused."<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe Angels did not appear focused at the plate early against the Dodgers. Kenta Maeda, Ross Stripling and Luis Avilan combined to hold the Angels hitless through six innings.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tBut they put together three runs on four hits and a walk in the seventh. Yunel Escobar led off with a single against Brandon Morrow, and C.J. Cron later singled in a pair to make it 2-1. Cameron Maybin added an RBI single.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe Dodgers opened the scoring with an unearned run in the third after third baseman Escobar threw away Enrique Hernandez's grounder for a two-base error. Hernandez scored on Andrew Toles' double.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe Dodgers' Austin Barnes smacked a solo homer in the ninth inning.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tAngels reliever Blake Parker, a 31-year-old journeyman, struck out the side in the fourth. His last 14 outs have come via strikeout.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tROSTER UPDATE<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tDodgers: Completed their roster for opening day by optioning IF Chris Taylor, OF Trayce Thompson and LHP Julio Urias, and reassigning C Bobby Wilson to the minors. That means Hernandez and OF Scott Van Slyke are the final two players to make the club.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tAngels: The rest of the rotation: RHP Matt Shoemaker, RHP Garrett Richards, RHP Jesse Chavez and one yet to be announced. … LHP Tyler Skaggs, who missed 2015 following elbow surgery and most of last season with a shoulder injury, threw five innings in a Triple-A game against the Giants. He allowed five runs and eight hits, striking out four and walking two. He is expected to be Los Angeles' fourth starter.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tMAEDA SHARP<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe right-hander threw three perfect innings for the Dodgers. Manager Dave Roberts is confident the former Japanese star can improve upon his 16-11 rookie season. Said Roberts: "Last year was a learning experience for all of us. But I think in his second year he can only get better."<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tSTREET EXAMINED<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tHuston Street, hoping to reclaim is closer role this spring, instead strained a back muscle (right latissimus dorsi) in his first game and was shut down. He was re-examined Thursday after the Angels returned to Anaheim. Said Scioscia: "We expect he can pick up a baseball and start throwing in a couple of days."<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tUP NEXT<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tDodgers: LHP Rich Hill will try to finish strong following a poor spring in the second game of the Freeway Series on Friday in Anaheim. Hill, who said he never has a good spring, is 0-2 with an 8.03 ERA in five previous games.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tAngels: Richards continues his unusual return from an elbow injury. Richards (0-1, 6.48) injured his ulnar collateral ligament, but instead of opting for the traditional Tommy John surgery, had the elbow regenerated using his own stem cells.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tSource:- <\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/mlb\/2017\/03\/31\/dodgers-start-with-6-hitless-innings-but-angels-rally\/99859160\/<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/div><\/div>\n\t\t