Garrett Richards eyes up another win on Monday when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim enter U.S. Cellular Field to begin a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox.
Richards has won each of his last four decisions and boasts an AL-best 1.05 ERA in five June starts. In his most recent start, the right-hander went 7 1/3 innings against Minnesota and gave up two earned runs on four hits. He struck out five but also walked five batters.
At 8-2 on the season with a 2.76 ERA through 16 starts, Richards has deservedly garnered some All-Star buzz for the first time in his career.
"I would love to be there, but that's out of my control," Richards said recently. "There have been guys who have put up good numbers and haven't made the All-Star team. I'm not really swallowed up in it. There's still another half of baseball to play after the All-Star Game, so that's kind of what I'm worried about"
Hector Noesi has settled into Chicago's rotation after bouncing around between Seattle and Texas earlier this season. He turned in a solid outing at Baltimore last week, as the right-hander went seven innings for the second straight start and gave up only two earned runs.
The White Sox are back home after winning the final three games of their four- game series at Toronto over the weekend.
Starter Jose Quintana dazzled in Sunday's 4-0 victory. He pitched seven shutout innings and allowed only three hits while striking out seven. Rookie Jose Abreu extended his hitting streak to 14 games with his 64th RBI of the year. Abreu has homered six times and driven in 13 runs during the streak.
The Angels entered their weekend series at Kansas City winners of six straight. However, they went on to lose two of three against the Royals, including Sunday's 5-4 final.
Kole Calhoun and Erick Aybar both went deep to spark the Halos offense, but starter C.J. Wilson got the early hook after surrendering a four-run fourth inning. Later, Jason Grilli yielded a walk-off single to Omar Infante in the bottom of the ninth, an inning that was kept alive by the Angels' second error of the game.
The Angels, who swept a home series against the White Sox earlier this season, have won six of their last eight in Chicago.
[SportsNetwork.com]
