HOUSTON -- Garrett Richards followed the worst start of his career with one of his best. Tyler Skaggs Jersey . He also a truly special inning, striking out the side on just nine pitches. Richards fanned nine to match his major league best, helping the Los Angeles Angels snap a season-worst four-game skid with a 4-0 win over Houston Astros on Wednesday night. Richards (5-2) bounced back from a terrible outing in his last start when he allowed five runs while getting only two outs. It was the shortest non-injury-related start of his career. "I definitely came into this game with a little chip on my shoulder," Richards said. "Last one was embarrassing. And thats not the pitcher I am." In the second, he joined Nolan Ryan as the only Angels pitchers to strike out the side on nine pitches. Ryan did it in 1972. "That was my guy growing up," Richards said. "Its cool. Its cool to be put in a group with a guy like that. I didnt even realize it until after the game." Richards gave up four hits and walked none in eight innings. Of his first 35 pitches, 32 were strikes. Joe Smith struck out one in a hitless ninth. Erick Aybar had two doubles and an RBI and David Freese doubled and drove in a run for the Angels. Jarred Cosart (4-5) allowed eight hits and three runs and tied a career-high with eight strikeouts in 6 2-3 innings. Dexter Fowler had two hits for the Astros, but no one else could get anything going against Richards. Heralded prospect Jon Singleton went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in his second major league game after homering in his debut on Tuesday night. Fowlers ground-rule double led things off for the Astros, but Richards retired the next eight batters. Fowler singled with two outs in the third but Jose Altuve grounded into a force out to end the inning. Richard located his pitches well all night, but his control was impeccable early in the game. "Garrett was ready," manager Mike Scioscia said. "I dont know if it was based on the last outing which was obviously tough for him. He just showed great command with all his pitches." Houston manager Bo Porter was impressed. "(He) had electric stuff tonight from the very first pitch until he left the game in the eighth," he said. "He was throwing 95, 96 late in the game with a wipeout slider. That is what you call dominating stuff." Freese doubled with one out in the fifth and C.J. Cron put the Angels on top 1-0 with his RBI single with two outs. Aybar hit a one-out double in the sixth before Albert Pujols drew a walk. Howie Kendrick and Freese hit back to back singles with two outs to stretch the lead to 3-0. The Angels didnt get a hit until Albert Pujols singled with two outs in the fourth inning, but Cosart struck out Josh Hamilton for the third out. Hamilton played centre field on Wednesday night in his second game back from the disabled list with star Mike Trout out again with back problems. Collin Cowgill entered the game as a pinch-runner in the eighth and took over in centre field and Hamilton moved to left. Cowgill preserved the shutout by sprinting to make a catch on the track just before Tals Hill in centre field on a fly ball hit by George Springer for the last out in the eighth. Trout had an MRI on Wednesday and said it didnt reveal any damage. He has some inflammation in the middle of his back on the left side and hopes to return to the lineup on Thursday. Trout missed two games with stiffness in his upper back before starting Tuesday night in Houston. He left that game in the second inning because of his back problem. He said that he feels a lot better on Wednesday than he did when he left the game on Tuesday night. "If I dont feel it at all, Im going to play," he said. "If I feel it a little bit, I should just be smart about it." NOTES: The series wraps up on Thursday when Los Angeles LHP Tyler Skaggs opposes Brad Peacock. ... Houston SS Jonathan Villar was out of the lineup on Wednesday after being hit on the right elbow by a pitch the night before. X-rays were negative and he is day to day. Kean Wong Jersey . Masahiro Tanaka has touched down in the United States and the courting of the Rakuten Golden Eagles stud pitcher has begun in earnest by a bevy of MLB teams interested in the Japanese ace. Tim Salmon Angels Jersey . Stepanek gave the Czech Republic its second straight Davis Cup title Sunday, sweeping past Dusan Lajovic in straight sets in the fifth and decisive match to secure a 3-2 win over Serbia in the final. https://www.cheapangels.com/1273j-kaleb-cowart-jersey-angels.html . - Their offence is underperforming.PHILADELPHIA -- The Dallas Mavericks had to work hard for an easy win. Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points, Shawn Marion had 22 and the Mavericks beat undermanned Philadelphia 124-112 Friday night, handing the 76ers their 10th straight loss. The Mavericks led from the start and never trailed, taking a 22-point lead and staying ahead by double digits most of the game. But they had to earn this one. "It was exactly the kind of game we expected," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "We expected it to be 48 minutes of hell with them chasing the ball all over the place. (Brett Brown) coaches his team harder than any coach in the league." A day after dismantling the roster and trading away Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen, the Sixers had just eight players in uniform. Thaddeus Young scored 30 and Michael Carter-Williams had 25 for Philadelphia, which has looked toward next season and beyond since training camp. "They played hard," Brown said. "Were trying to identify athletes and how they compete." The Sixers, who have the NBAs second-worst record, made four trades before Thursdays deadline, giving up three players and a draft pick for five players and six second-round draft picks between 2014 and 2018. Theyre hoping for a top-3 draft pick and trying to clear space under the salary cap to make a run at quality free agents. "Were focused on building something for Philadelphia to put a program in a place to compete when it matters," general manager Sam Hinkie said. "And we feel that yesterday was just another step in that process." While the Sixers eye the future, the Mavericks are making a playoff push. Theyre in a tight battle with four teams for the final three playoff spots in the West. "They have a bunch of fast, athletic guys," Nowitzki said of Philadelphia. "Give them credit. They kept competing." Nowitzki hit consecutive 3s in the opening minutes. The Mavericks were up by 22 after Vince Carter nailed a 3 late in the first quarter, and made 16 of their first 21 shots. Sloppy play and a slew of turnovers by the Mavericks allowed the Sixers to mmake a run in the second quarter. Jerry Coleman Jersey. They pulled within 55-50 following an 8-0 run and trailed 69-62 at halftime. "We knew they would make a run," Marion said. "They have talented guys. We kept our composure and were able to sustain the lead." After Philadelphia closed to within 77-73 in the third quarter, Nowitzki nailed another 3, the Mavericks scored nine straight and put the game away. At one point, Nowitzki and Marion were a combined 17 for 19 from the floor. Nowitzki made his first five from beyond the arc before missing two straight. Carter-Williams, a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year, Young and injured rookie Nerlens Noel are cornerstones for Philadelphia going forward. Young was disappointed he didnt go to a contender, but wouldnt let that affect his performance. He had 13 rebounds and took a career-high 29 shots, making 12. "This situation, I dont know how much worse it could get," Young said before the game. Young became just the second player to have at least 30 points, 13 rebounds, seven steals and six assists since steals became a stat in 1973-74. Hakeem Olajuwon had 38 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and seven steals along with 12 blocks for Houston vs. Seattle on March 10, 1987. Turner, a former No. 2 overall pick, and Allen went to Indiana for veteran Danny Granger and a pick. Hawes was traded to Cleveland for Earl Clark, Henry Sims and two picks. Eric Maynor came from Washington along with two picks from other teams. Byron Mullens was acquired from the Clippers with a pick for a protected second-rounder. NOTES: Carter-Williams had his eighth game of at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. All other NBA rookies have eight combined. ... The Mavericks have won 13 of last 16 games vs. Philadelphia. ... DeJuan Blair had 18 points and Jose Calderon had 10 assists for Dallas. ... Maynor was the only new player in uniform and available. ... The Sixers already waived Clark. ... Granger showed up to Pacers practice Friday to say goodbye to former teammates. ... The Mavericks had 39 assists, their most since 40 vs. New Orleans on Nov. 11, 2003. ' ' '