Garrett Richards holds back Astros’ bats in 11-1 win

Angels 11, Astros 1

KEY MOMENT: Angels starter Garrett Richards wobbled in the fifth when he walked Jose Altuve with the bases loaded and two outs, trimming the Angels’ lead to 5-1. Richards caught a huge break when a hanging 0-and-2 curve was lined a few feet foul by cleanup batter Mark Krauss. Richards then struck out Krauss looking at a curve to end a grueling 10-pitch at-bat.

AT THE PLATE: The Angels had 17 hits in their first three games against Seattle. They had 15 Friday night, including Mike Trout’s solo homer, Josh Hamilton’s three-run homer and Kole Calhoun’s two-run homer. Chris Iannetta doubled twice, and Howie Kendrick, hitless in his first 10 at-bats, had an RBI double and a single.

ON THE MOUND: Richards struggled with his command but had a superb curve for most of a five-inning outing in which he allowed one run and three hits, struck out seven and walked five. Reliever Fernando Salas, hit hard in his first two appearances, got himself into — and out of — a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the sixth, striking out Marwin Gonzalez and getting Alex Presley to ground out.

IN THE FIELD: Center fielder Mike Trout, who did not have an outfield assist in 2013, preserved a 2-0 lead in the second when he charged Jesus Guzman’s single and air-mailed a throw to the plate to nail Krauss. “It’s just another way he contributes,” Manager Mike Scioscia said.

EXTRA BASES: Hitting coach Don Baylor, who underwent surgery Tuesday for a fractured right femur, was discharged from UCI Medical Center on Friday. … The wife of utility infielder John McDonald, who played six games for the Boston Red Sox in September, was presented with his World Series ring Friday in Fenway Park.

UP NEXT: Left-hander Tyler Skaggs (2-3, 5.12 ERA for Arizona in 2013) will make his Angels debut against Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel (6-10, 5.15 ERA in 2013) at Minute Maid Park Saturday at 4 p.m. PDT. On the air: TV: Fox Sports West. Radio: 830.

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com