Angels pitcher Garrett Richards no longer a big tipper

DETROIT — It didn’t seem like the most logical move for the Angels to choose right-hander Garrett Richards to start Tuesday night’s game against the Detroit Tigers over left-hander Brad Mills.

Mills appeared to earn another start when he allowed three hits over five shutout innings of a 6-0 victory over Baltimore on July 8, the day before the All-Star break, while Richards was torched for 12 earned runs and 19 hits in 8 2/3 innings of his previous two starts with the Angels, on June 30 and July 5.

But the Angels went with the bigger arm and the better stuff, and that decision paid off when Richards allowed three hits in seven shutout innings of a 13-0 win over the Tigers, overcoming control problems that led to four walks and a hit batter.

“His stuff is legit,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He had a couple of leadoff walks with a big lead, which was probably the only fly in the ointment. He was throwing the ball hard with good movement, a good breaking ball. He was a little erratic through some stretches, but it’s a statement when you put up seven zeroes against a deep offensive club like the Tigers.”

Richards was demoted to triple-A Salt Lake after his July 5 start against the Orioles and used his time there wisely, ironing out a minor mechanical flaw in his delivery and “getting my hands in the same position for every pitch so I’m not tipping my pitches,” he said.

The problem, Richards said, was that his glove was getting “a little bit big” as he gripped the ball for his changeup, and opposing teams may have caught onto it.

“I have it down to where everything looks the same now,” Richards said. “I’m comfortable with my delivery.”

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