Skaggs, Fiers get nods as Angels host Athletics

Mike Fiers will start Thursday's game for the Oakland A's against the Los Angeles Angels, no doubt happy to see Ramon Laureano in center field behind him.

And it won't be simply because Laureano made a home run-robbing catch of a ball hit by Cincinnati's Joey Votto on May 7. That play not only saved Fiers a run, but it also helped preserve Fiers' second career no-hitter.

Fiers certainly will be happy to have the offense that Laureano has put up recently, as well. The 24-year-old went 0-for-4 with a walk in Wednesday's 10-9 loss to the Angels, ending his hitting streak at 16 consecutive games but extending his on-base streak to 24 games.

During the hitting streak, Laureano hit .365 (23 for 63), raising his season average from .222 to .264.

"It's all about just trusting my instincts," Laureano said. "See and hit the ball, instead of just guessing what pitch is coming. That's it."

Laureano is getting his chance with Oakland after coming to the A's in a trade from Houston for a minor leaguer after the 2017 season.

Fiers, also an ex-Astro, struggled early in the season but turned things around after a loss to Toronto on April 20. Since then, Fiers has had seven consecutive starts in which he's allowed three runs or fewer. And that includes his no-hitter. For the season, he is 4-3 with a 4.78 ERA.

He hasn't faced the Angels this season, but is 4-4 with a 5.25 ERA in 11 career games (10 starts) against Los Angeles.

Angels center fielder Mike Trout has hit Fiers well in his career, going 8-for-21 with four doubles, two homers, seven RBI and five walks.

Tyler Skaggs (4-5, 4.50) will start on the mound for Los Angeles, looking for his first victory since May 13. He faced Oakland in his season debut on March 31, getting the loss despite giving up just two runs in 4 2/3 innings.

He has not pitched well against the A's in his career, going 2-7 with a 5.07 ERA in 11 starts.

The Angels, though, are hoping that designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is beginning to show the offensive skills he displayed last year when he hit 22 home runs and won the American League Rookie of the Year award.

Recovering from Tommy John surgery, Ohtani didn't play his first game this season until May 7, missing the club's first 34 games. He has looked out of sync at times, and was hitting just .225 going into Tuesday's series opener.

But Ohtani had two hits Tuesday, including a home run, then had another two hits -- and another homer -- in Wednesday's game.

"I've been feeling better at the plate daily," Ohtani said through an interpreter. "Sometimes the results aren't there even when I make hard contact. But I'm feeling better, so I'm hoping the results come with it."

In 15 career games against the A's, Ohtani has hit .316 (18 for 57) with three home runs.

--Field Level Media