Angels
The trick to turning talent into consistency in the majors is to minimize damage on the bad nights. Garrett Richards is all about finding the positives even on bad days. “Finding a way to throw seven innings after going through that (three run on three hits, two walks, one wild pitch) in the first three innings isn’t an easy thing to do,” Richards told the Orange County (Calif.) Register. “I think that’s part of my maturity and my progression as a starting pitcher.” … Opening-day starters Kole Calhoun and David Freese both had extra-base hits during rehab assignments with Triple-A Salt Lake.
Astros
Dexter Fowler drew a walk in his career-best ninth consecutive game, the first Houston player to accomplish that feat since Morgan Ensberg in 2006. … The Astros have been playing better recently. “It’s coming together,” manager Bo Porter told the team’s website. “I like the balance and what we have going right now.” … The team signed the much-traveled reliever Kyle Farnsworth, 38. … Houston hasn’t won more than three in a row since a four-game stretch last Sept. 9-13, which was immediately followed by a season-ending 15-game losing streak.
Athletics
“The Oakland A’s are considering building a waterfront stadium,” noted Brad Dickson of the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald. “It’d be great if the Raiders could play there, too; fans would feel like they’re back at Alcatraz.” … Brandon Moss, a homer-or-nothing left-handed slugger, has settled in as the team’s cleanup hitter, sandwiched between Josh Donaldson and Yoenis Cespedes. “I think I’m seen as a one-trick pony,” is the way Moss puts it, according to the Contra Costa (Calif.) Times.
Mariners
Hisashi Iwakuma’s name isn’t mentioned much on the MLB Network, even though the quiet right-hander was an All-Star last year and finished third in the Cy Young voting. “Kuma was just outstanding,” manager Lloyd McClendon told the Seattle Times. “When it comes to pitching, it’s location, location, location. It has nothing to do with power. It has everything to do with location and throwing timing off and he does that very well.” Iwakuma improved to 3-0 last week with an ERA of 1.76.
Rangers
Season on brink? Lose first series to Astros since 2008 and Martin Perez headed for Tommy John surgery. … After struggling at the plate, the veterans in called a meeting. No manager, no coaches. Just the hitters, not the pitchers. Adrian Beltre did most of the talking. “It wasn’t like we had a meeting and figured everything was just going to turn around,” SS Elvis Andrus told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “It was more just a chance to be together and say a few things. There was a lot of negativity going around.”
Compiled by Rick Crotts from wire reports.
