Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco earned a win on Monday, giving up two earned runs on seven hits in 7 2/3 innings while striking out five and walking none in his team's 7-2 victory over the Red Sox.
"Normally, you go out there and challenge [hitters], but I tried that the past couple of starts, with so-so results," Nolasco said, per the StarTribune. "I know the scouting report on me is [to] swing early because I'm going to be throwing a lot of strikes."
Nolasco (5-1) was handed a 7-0 lead after two innings, and though he gave up a pair of runs in the top of the third, he was able to shut the Red Sox down over the remainder of the outing for his fifth straight win.
Nolasco owns a 5.12 ERA and 27:10 K:BB ratio in 31 2/3 innings. He's slated to face the Blue Jays on Sunday.