ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Texas Rangers left-handed starter Matt Harrison is focused on picking up his pace.

No, you won't see the hyper-quick feet on the windup like he employed a few years ago. But in the third inning of a start against Oakland on May 17, Harrison decided he needed to pick up the pace.

That didn't mean rush things. But he quickened his delivery a bit and his time between pitches.

"It's at a pace where I feel comfortable and I'm not way out in front of my arm with the rest of my body," Harrison said. "I'm able to get my arm going at a quicker pace, but I'm also at a quicker pace between pitches. It's definitely made me feel more aggressive on the mound. I know it's better for the defense too because they're not standing on their toes for 15 or 20 seconds between pitches."

Harrison says it's also helped him avoid overthrowing the ball, something that creeps into his game every now and then. The left-hander's last two starts have been solid. He's allowed three earned runs in 15 innings in those last two starts, both wins. He's worked quickly and effectively.

"It's a quicker leg kick and getting down to home plate quicker," Harrison said.

He'd also like a quick first inning. At times this season, the first inning has hurt Harrison. He's given up some runs in the first inning or worked out of a jam that requires plenty of pitches, hurting his ability to go deeper.

"I hope to have a quick first inning, kind of like the last game, and limit my pitch count, keep it down," Harrison said.