Garrett Richards nearly pitched his way into the Angels' rotation this spring, losing out to the more experienced Jerome Williams for the fifth starter's spot.
Given a second chance to make an impression when Jered Weaver went on the disabled list last week, Richards was outstanding against the Mariners on Tuesday night. He allowed just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out eight in seven innings to earn his first major league victory.
Richards might get as little as one more start before Weaver is ready to return, but the Angels could be tempted to keep him around to replace Ervin Santana in the rotation.
Santana has been unreliable this season, going 2-7 with a 5.33 ERA. He has lasted five innings or less in each of his past three starts, walking 14 in 14 2/3 innings over that time, and he leads the major leagues in home runs allowed (16 in 12 starts). Most troubling for the Angels, they have lost nine of his 12 starts.
"We're not contemplating anything like that," manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday when asked if the Angels might bump Santana. "It's great to have that depth in your rotation. It's great to see what Garrett did. Ervin is a guy we're counting very heavily on and have a lot of confidence that he's going to pitch more to his ability than maybe we saw the last couple times. That's where we are right now.
"Your rotation certainly evolves at certain times in the season, but right now we're not contemplating anything but getting Ervin back on track and hopefully Garrett contributing when he can."
Richards readily admits that he hopes to use this time to earn a full-time job in the rotation.
"Of course," he said after Tuesday's win. "I'm up here to help these guys win, but I'm also here to show people what I can do."
Williams' starting job is secure, but he was ineffective Wednesday in the Angels' 8-6 loss to the Mariners. He gave up seven runs (five earned) on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings.
NOTES, QUOTES
Iannetta close to starting minor league rehab
--C Chris Iannetta will throw to bases as part of a workout before the Angels head to Colorado on Thursday afternoon, and then he most likely will stay behind to begin a minor league rehab assignment. Iannetta could start that rehab stint as soon as Saturday. He has been out since undergoing right wrist surgery May 11.
--SS Erick Aybar's eighth error of the season opened the door for two costly unearned runs Wednesday in the Angels' 8-6 loss to the Mariners. Aybar made just 13 errors in 151 games last season and won the AL Gold Glove award. "He's made some unbelievable plays," manager Mike Scioscia said. "There's a couple balls that got away from him, but for the most part, that can be part of any shortstop's game. You're not going to get to all of them. ... A couple plays have gotten away from Erick, but overall, he's played well."
--DH Kendrys Morales was 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Wednesday's loss. Over his past 13 games, Morales is batting .321 (17-for-53) with four home runs, 12 RBI and 10 runs. He has 11 of those RBI in his past nine games after driving in just eight in the previous 30 games.
--RHP Jerome Williams took his first loss in nine starts at Angel Stadium on Wednesday. He gave up seven runs (five earned) on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. It also snapped a streak of nine consecutive starts in which Williams pitched at least six innings.
--The Angels did not have a first- or second-round pick in this year's draft. They surrendered the picks as compensation for signing free agents Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson last winter. Once they started picking, 12 of their first 13 selections and 33 of 38 in all were college players, starting with Florida Atlantic RHP R.J. Alvarez in the third round. Scouting director Ric Wilson said it was his game plan this year to try to replenish the depleted farm system with players who might need less development time.
BY THE NUMBERS: 6-2 -- The Angels' all-time record at Coors Field. They play a three-game interleague series there against the Rockies this weekend.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I had to bear down, and they got me. ... I felt I had good stuff. There were just crucial moments where I had to make pitches, and I didn't make it." -- RHP Jerome Williams, after the Mariners scored all of their runs in an 8-6 win over the Angels after there were two outs in an inning.
ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--C Bobby Wilson (concussion) went on the seven-day disabled list June 5.
--C Chris Iannetta (fractured right wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 9. He underwent surgery May 11, and he was cleared to begin "aggressive baseball activities" in early June. He might be begin a rehab assignment as soon as June 9.
--RHP LaTroy Hawkins (broken right pinkie finger) went on the 15-day disabled list May 7. He began a rehab assignment with Class A Inland Empire on June 3, then moved his rehab to Class AAA Salt Lake on June 5. He might be able to return during the weekend of June 8-10.
--RHP Jered Weaver (strained lower back) went on the 15-day disabled list May 29. He hopes to miss just two or three starts.
--OF Vernon Wells (torn ulnar collateral ligament in right thumb) went on the 15-day disabled list May 21. He underwent surgery May 22, and he is expected to be sidelined until mid- to late July.
--OF Ryan Langerhans (separated right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list May 21. He will not need surgery.
--OF Jeremy Moore (left hip surgery in March 2012) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 13.
--RHP Michael Kohn (flexor strain in right arm) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 21. He underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery April 12.
