Angels silence A's in 5-0 shutout

OAKLAND - Garrett Richards pitched beautifully while making his first appearance in 11 months after an elbow injury cut short his 2016 season, but left abruptly in the fifth inning with biceps cramping before the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland Athletics 5-0 on Wednesday night.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia and the training staff rushed to the mound after Richards threw a 94 mph called strike to Matt Joyce with two outs in the fifth. Richards was removed from the game, one out shy of being eligible for the win, and slugger Albert Pujols put an arm around the pitcher in the dugout.

The team announced he came out for precautionary reasons.

Richards struck out four and walked one, allowing three hits in 4? innings. JC Ramirez (1-0) worked 2? innings for the win.

After the game, Scioscia said he's hopeful Richards can make his next start. The right-hander will be checked by doctors once the club returns to Southern California.

Mike Trout hit an RBI single to back Richards, the Angels' opening day starter a year ago. He pitched for the first time since last May 1.

Danny Espinosa hit a two-run single one night after delivering a deciding three-run homer, and Andrelton Simmons doubled home a run in the second against Jharel Cotton (0-1).

The 25-year-old Cotton, who came to the A's in a trade-deadline deal last year that sent Rich Hill and Josh Reddick to the Dodgers, can feel good about striking out Trout twice on seven pitches. Cotton allowed eight hits and five runs, struck out four and walked two in 4? innings.

This marked his first major league loss after going 2-0 over five starts in 2016.

Frankie Montas - who arrived in that same trade - pitched 2? scoreless innings in his A's debut.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Athletics: RHP John Axford was placed on the 10-day DL, retroactive to Sunday, with a strained right shoulder. He experienced tightness after throwing a curveball warming up Tuesday night. Axford had no issues leading up to the injury. “None, zero,” manager Bob Melvin said. “It was a complete surprise not only to us but to him.” RHP Jesse Hahn was recalled from Triple-A Nashville and will be used “for a little bit more length to have a starter back there,” Melvin said.