Sports - Sports News

POSTED: Monday, Aug. 17, 2009

BASEBALL: Bellingham graduate Richardson looks like a pro in MLB debut

Bellingham High School graduate Kevin Richardson went 2 for 4 and scored a run in his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers, who defeated the slumping Minnesota Twins 8-5 on Monday, Aug. 17, to increase their lead in the American League wild-card race to one game.

Richardson, who started at catcher opposite Texas pitcher Tommy Hunter, was called up from class AAA Oklahoma City on Saturday, Aug. 15, when Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia was placed on the disabled list with a right arm injury.

The Rangers scored early and often, though Richardson struck out swinging with runners on first and third during his first Major League at-bat, ending a four-run second inning for the Rangers, who jumped out to an early 7-2 lead after scoring three runs in the first.

When the 6-foot, 3-inch Richardson stepped up to the plate for his second at-bat in the bottom of the third with no outs showing, he took two balls, a foul and a swinging strike before sending a line-drive single to center field.

The Bellingham grad would advance to second base when Ian Kinsler was hit by a pitch, but got stranded shortly after.

Richardson was thrown out at first on a ground ball to Minnesota shortstop Nick Punto in the fifth.

A fourth trip to the plate in the bottom of the seventh yielded a single to left field off a fastball with a full count showing. Richardson scored on the next play on a triple by Elvis Andrus to give the Rangers an 8-5 lead that would stand.

Richardson also had a hand in Texas pitcher Tommy Hunter winning his third straight start. Hunter allowed four earned runs over 5 2/3 innings pitched, striking out five and allowing three walks, but he settled in a bit after two innings, retiring 10 in a row. Darren O'Day took over, but allowed three hits as Minnesota pulled to within 7-5.

Joe Mauer went 3 for 5 and homered for the Twins, who have lost 12 of 16.

Richardson graduated from Bellingham High School in 1998 after winning three varsity letters for coach Rob Crawford. He hit .460 with seven home runs and was an all-Northwest League selection as a senior. He went to Spokane Community College before finishing up his collegiate career at Gonzaga University.

Richardson signed as an undrafted free agent in 2002 and worked his way through the system.

Before his promotion, Richardson was batting .223 with 12 homers and 34 RBI at Oklahoma City this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.