Shaky Richards loses to Andrew Cashner, 5-4

KEY MOMENT: With the score tied, 3-3, Angels ace Garrett Richards started the seventh inning by walking the Padres’ Alexi Amarista, who was batting .188. Austin Hedges then dropped a bunt, but Richards dropped the ball for an error — his second of the game. Richards got the next two batters, which would have ended the inning if he had not made the error. But Justin Upton singled home the go-ahead run and Matt Kemp singled home an insurance run, with the two unearned runs as the difference.

AT THE PLATE: Outfielder Matt Joyce hit his second home run of the season, in 131 at-bats. Rookie catcher Carlos Perez drove in two runs, one on a two-out single and the other on a two-out double. Perez has driven in eight runs in 43 at-bats this season; incumbent Chris Iannetta has driven in nine runs in 97 at-bats.

ON THE MOUND: Richards (4-3) was shaky all evening, pitching into the seventh inning but retiring the Padres in order only once. He gave up five runs — three earned — and eight hits in 62/3 innings. In addition to the dropped throw in the seventh inning, he dropped a feed from Albert Pujols while covering first base in the third inning.

NEW KID IN TOWN: The Angels acquired outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis, 27, from the New York Mets. He is expected to join the team Thursday and start against right-handed pitching. Nieuwenhuis batted .079 for the Mets this season, with no home runs in 38 at-bats. But he had an .855 OPS against right-handed pitching last year, a figure exceeded only by Mike Trout among this year’s Angels. The Mets designated Nieuwenhuis for assignment last week; the Angels bought his contract for a little more than $20,000.

UP NEXT: C.J. Wilson (2-3, 3.36) faces the Detroit Tigers’ Buck Farmer (0-0, 0.00) on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at Angel Stadium. TV: Fox Sports West. Radio: 830, 1330.