Danny Espinosa Lifts Angels Over A's; Calyton Richard Goes Eight Shutout Innings For Padres

Players of the Day for Tuesday, April 4, 2017

American League

Espinosa: 3-run blast

Danny Espinosa socked a three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning, leading the LA Angels to a 7-6 triumph over the Oakland A's.

Not known primarily as a power hitter, second baseman Espinosa knocked 24 ball out of parks last season, a career high, and got his stroke aligned with his first of the new season, which was also his only hit in eight at-bats thus far in 2017.

The 383-fott drive to right center drove in teammates Jefry Marte and Andrelton Simmons, bringing the Angels back from a 6-4 deficit. Cam Bedrosian came in to toss a perfect inning in the bottom of the ninth, earning his first save of the season.

Richard: 8 Scoreless

Notable in the game was the first start for Matt Carpenter, who returned to the mound for the first time since being struck in the head by a line drive, suffering a fractured skull, seven months earlier. Carpenter was effective, allowing two earned runs on four hits over five innings.

The win tied the four-game series at 1-1. The two teams take to the field at the Oakland Coliseum for game three Wednesday night at 7:05 pm PT.

National League

After being hammered and humiliated in their season opener, 14-3, by the Dodgers on Monday, Clayton Richard and the San Diego Padres said, "not so fast" to the home-standing Dodgers, blanking them 4-0, to even their record and the series at 1-1.

Richard tossed eight innings of shutout ball, allowing five hits and two walks, fanning five. Efficient in his pitch selection, Richard threw 68 of 99 pitches for strikes and recorded first pitch strikes on 19 of the 27 batters he faced.

A spot starter and long reliever for most of his career, Richard became part of the Padres' starting rotation this season and is off to a great start. The win took his career record above the break-even line, giving him 54 victories against 53 losses.

The Padres and Dodgers play game three of their four-game series Wednesday night in Los Angeles with first pitch slated for 7:10 pm PT.