Angels Keep Pace in West on Garrett Richards' Shutout over Dodgers; Giants Gain Thanks to Pablo Sandoval's 3 RBI

Players of the Day for Monday, August 4, 2013

Richards: Shutout

American League

With a record of 67-44, second-best in the the majors, one would think the Angels a happy bunch.

Unfortunately, they play in the same division with the Oakland A's, who have the best record in the majors, and are a game to the good on their rivals to the south.

But, the Angels kept pace on Monday, getting a complete game shutout over the Dodgers from Garrett Richards, who gave up five hits, walked two and struck out nine in the Angels' 5-0 triumph. The A's survived in ten innings, with a 3-2 win over Tampa Bay.

Richards is having a superb season for the Angels, picking up his first major league shutout in his second complete game win. He's 12-4, with a 2.58 ERA and 152 strikeouts in 153 1/3 innings.

Continuing the four-game series on Tuesday, the Angels and Dodgers match up at 10:10 pm EDT at Dodger Stadium. On Wednesday and Thursday, the teams play at the Angels' home in Anaheim.

National League

Sandoval: 3-for-5

Interleague play being back in vogue, there was only one NL team that won on Monday, unsurprisingly, in a game featuring two teams from the senior circuit.

Pablo Sandoval made good use of five at bats, socking a pair of doubles and a single, driving in three runs for the Giants, including the game-winner, in their 4-3 victory over the Mets.

Sandoval, 2012 World Series MVP, stroked a double in the second inning to tie the game at two. After Hunter Pence scored on a wild pitch to tie the affair at three, Sandoval blooped a ground rule double down the left field line, scoring Gregor Blanco with the winning run in the top of the ninth. Santiago Castilla came on to get the Mets in order in the bottom of the ninth securing the win with his ninth save.

The Giants took three of four in New York, and, with the Dodgers losing to the Angels later in the day, crept to within 1 1/2 games of the NL West leaders.

Heading back in the direction the West coast, the Giants open a three-game series in Milwaukee starting Tuesday at 8:10 pm EDT.

Mike Trout, Garrett Richards Boost Angels over Tigers; Byrce Harper's Two Homers Give Nationals a 7-6 Win over Mets

Players of the Day for Saturday, April 20, 2013

American League

Trout: GS, 4 RBI

Richards: 8 Ks

Despite their slow start, the LA Angels are letting AL champion, Detroit, know that they're serious about competing for the pennant, winning the second straight in their three-game series, by a blowout, 10-0 score.

Detroit starter, Rick Porcello, didn't get out of the first inning as the Angles sent 13 batters to the plate, scoring nine runs. Mike Trout led the opening-inning barrage with a single and a grand slam homer that sent Porcello to a very early shower.

With the huge lead, LA's Garrett Richards was able to relax, tying up the Tigers on two hits over seven scoreless innings, striking out a season-high eight without surrendering a walk. A part-time starter, Richards recorded his first win of the season, without a loss.

The Angels are just 6-10, but will go for the sweep when they host the Tigers in the series finale, Sunday at 3:35 pm ET. Detroit remained tied for first place in the Central with Kansas City.

National League

Harper: 2HR 3RBI

Bryce Harper stroked a two-run homer in the third inning and his eighth inning solo blast broke a 6-all tie, leading the Nationals to a 7-6 victory against the home-standing NY Mets.

Harper, last year's rookie of the year in the NL, was 3-for-3 with three runs and three RBI, his pair of homers giving him seven on the season. Apparently not affected by any kind of sophomore slump, Harper is batting .371 with 14 RBI.

The Nationals evened their series in New York after a 7-1 loss, Friday. The two will meet for the rubber game at 1:10 pm Sunday at Citi Field.

The result left 10-7 Washington just three games behind the Braves, who have lost two straight to the Pirates. New York is 4 1/2 out, at 8-8.

STREAKERS: Despite the recent turmoil in Beantown, the Red Sox have maintained their composure, putting together a seven-game winning streak to lead the AL East with a 12-4 record (best in the AL), two up on the Yankees in the division. In the NL West, the Rockies have surprised everybody with an eight-game streak of their own, taking a 2 1/2 game lead over San Francisco after slipping by the Diamondbacks, 4-3, on Saturday.