GARRETT RICHARDS had a good start Wednesday, but left in the fifth because of cramping in his right bicep (Flickr/Keith Allison photo).

The first winning streak of the Los Angeles Angels is underway, as the Halos defeated the Oakland A’s 5-0 on Wednesday night in the East Bay. The team is now 2-1 and in second place in the AL West Division after taking two straight.

Any celebration was just a bit muted because starter Garrett Richards came out of the game with two men out in the fifth because of cramping in his right bicep. It’s not considered a serious issue.

The Angels rattled 13 hits around the Oakland Coliseum. Kole Calhoun had three hits and scored once. The team had three doubles. Getting two hits each were Mike Trout, C.J. Cron and Andrelton Simmons. Danny Espinosa had a two-run single.

Richards had a solid start, working 4.2 innings and giving up just three hits. He struck out four batters and walked one.

“We played good baseball,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “We had some clutch hits, had a lot of opportunities tonight and got five runs. Our bullpen did a terrific job. We have to get more length from our starters eventually, but our bullpen picked us up. J.C.Ramirez [who got the win] did a tremendous job tonight.”

The Angels benefitted from improved situational hitting, going 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

On Thursday the series with the A’s will conclude with Tyler Skaggs making the start for the Angels. On Friday the Halos will be back in Anaheim for their 2017 home opener, hosting the Seattle Mariners (0-3).