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Salt Lake starting pitcher Garrett Richards, who appeared in seven games for the Los Angeles Angels last season, dominated the Tacoma Rainiers on Thursday night in the two teams' home opener in Tacoma, Wash., as the Bees won 3-2.
Richards went seven innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out seven Rainiers batters.
Juan Rincon, Matt Meyer and Ryan Brasier combined for two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, with Brasier recording the save.
Highly touted 20-year-old prospect Mike Trout, who is beginning the season in Salt Lake, led off for the Bees on Thursday night as the designated hitter and went 3-for-5 with two runs scored.
Catcher Hank Conger and left fielder Doug Deeds each added two hits for Salt Lake, which will play again at Tacoma on Friday night at 8:05 MDT.
Richards, who was 12-2 with Double-A Arkansas last season, became the first Angels pitcher to make the leap from Double-A to the big leagues since Ervin Santana in 2005.
Salt Lake won its eighth opener in the last nine years. —
Storylines Bees 3,Rainiers 2
R Salt Lake starter Garrett Richards has a strong outing in the season opener.
• The Bees' 20-year-old phenom, Mike Trout, goes 3-for-5 with two runs scored in his debut.