Angels fall to Astros, 6-3, and Garrett Richards cuts himself no slack

Garrett Richards may not be the ace of the Angels rotation in name — he is reluctant to assume that title as long as longtime ace Jered Weaver is still around in some capacity.

But the 27-year-old right-hander has the stuff of an ace, a lively 96-mph fastball, sharp slider and curve, and he is beginning to carry himself like one in the clubhouse, holding himself to a higher standard and taking responsibility for losses even when blame can be spread around the room.

Richards was not at his best in Wednesday night’s 6-3 loss to the Houston Astros in Minute Maid Park, allowing four runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings as the Angels fell a game behind Houston in the American League West.

Though he no-hit the Astros through four innings, Richards threw first-pitch strikes to 11 of 26 batters, well below his 61% rate going into the game.

He gave up two runs in the fifth and solo homers to Preston Tucker in the sixth and Jon Singleton in the seventh, only the fifth time in his career he’s allowed two homers in a game.

But the Angels, playing without injured center fielder Mike Trout, had one run and five hits through eight innings, giving Richards no margin for error and little chance of winning.

No matter. Richards, who fell to 10-8 with a 3.38 earned-run average, put the weight of the loss on his shoulders.

“I made a couple of mistakes that cost us,” Richards said. “Even on my worst day, I have to be better than that. I have to keep us in the game. I have to give us a chance to win. I know when I came out, we were only three runs out, but I have to be able to keep it closer.”

Richards remained feisty when reminded that there was no shame in giving up two homers to the powerful Astros, who lead the major leagues with 140.

“I know they depend on the long ball,” Richards said. “Bottom line, I’m not going to give them any credit. I have to be better.”

So do the two veteran outfielders the Angels traded for on Tuesday. No deals should be judged on one game, but the early returns on David DeJesus, acquired from Tampa Bay, and David Murphy, acquired from Cleveland, were not good.

DeJesus, leading off and playing center field, struck out three times and flied out. Murphy, batting cleanup and playing left field, had an infield single in four at-bats.

Once Trout returns from a sore left wrist, the Angels will employ a platoon of DeJesus and Shane Victorino in left and Murphy and C.J. Cron at designated hitter.

“The chemistry of this lineup will develop quickly because I think we have some veteran guys who know what they can do,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Tonight was not exactly what we’re looking for, but I think we’re going to be fine on the offensive side.”

DeJesus admitted that traveling from Tampa to Houston on Wednesday and joining a new team was “a lot to take in,” but also thought Astros right-hander Lance McCullers, who allowed one run and five hits in seven innings, had something to do with his rough debut.

“He threw his curve for strikes and did a good job — I have to tip my cap,” DeJesus said. “I’ve had plenty of games in my career like this. You don’t want it on your first day with a new team, but I’m going to keep grinding away.”

The Angels made the game interesting in the ninth when Albert Pujols led off with a homer to make it 6-2 and become the sixth player with 13 seasons of 30 homers or more. The others: Hank Aaron (15), Alex Rodriguez (14), Barry Bonds (14), Mike Schmidt (13) and Babe Ruth (13).

A pair of singles and Johnny Giavotella’s two-out RBI hit made it 6-3 and brought the tying run to the plate, but Trout was not available to hit, and Carlos Perez flied out to end the game.

Up next

Right-hander Matt Shoemaker (5-7, 4.55 ERA) will oppose Houston left-hander Scott Kazmir (6-5, 2.24) at Minute Maid Park on Thursday at 5 p.m. PDT. TV: FS West; Radio: 830, 1220.

Follow Mike DiGiovanna on Twitter @MikeDiGiovanna