Round 1–“73 Halos outlast ‘83 Royals in 5

Submitted by Douglas Zaner - Wednesday, December 25, 2013, 8:55 AM

Game 1 – Royals Stadium - Splittorff vs. Ryan
Both starters brought their A-game to the ballpark. However neither one figured in the decision. Facing Dan Quisenberry, Vada Pinson broke a 2-2 tie with an RBI double off the right field wall in the top of the 9th that scored Rich Scheiblum from 1st base. The Royals put the tying run on 2nd base with no outs in the bottom of the 9th.  But Dave Sells came on to get 3 straight outs to preserve the 3-2 win and earn the save.

Game 2 – Royals Stadium - Black vs. Singer
Game 2 was almost a copy of Game 1, with both pitchers going deep into the game with a strong showing, and again not figuring in the final decision. Down by 2 runs in the top of the 9th, California rallied for 2 runs off Dan Quisenberry to tie the game at 4. Vada Pinson and John Stephenson each contributed with an RBI single. But with 2-outs and the bases empty in the bottom of the 9th, Willie Mays Aikens sent a Dick Lange pitch over the right field fence for a walk-off solo home run to knot the Series at 1 game each. .

Game 3 – Angels Stadium - Wright vs. Perry.
Yet again both starters pitched well, each going 8 innings and allowing 3 runs. The game remained tied after 9 innings.  In the bottom of the 9th again the Royals turned to their relief ace Dan Quisenberry, and again the Halos responded.  Team captain Frank Robinson’s sacrifice fly with one out in the bottom of the 10th scored Rudy Meoli from 3rd base for the walk-off win.  Aurelio Monteagudo earned the win with 2 innings of flawless relief.

Game 4 – Angels Stadium - May vs. Gura.
California starter Rudy May pitched very well, allowing only 2 earned runs over 7 innings.  But it wasn’t enough to overcome the performance of Kansas City Larry Gura, who yielded only 4 hits and 1 run over 7 innings. This time Dan Quisenberry looked like his usual reliable self, silencing the Angels over the last 4 outs to hold the lead and earn the save. The Series was again tied.

Game 5 – Royals Stadium - Splittorff vs. Ryan.
The rubber game of the Series saw a return of the Game 1 starters. This time, however, neither starter delivered with their A-game.  The California bats came alive right from the start, with the Angels scoring 5 runs in the top of the 1st inning. As Splittorff struggled, Nolan Ryan cruised.  Thanks in part to a Frank Robinson home run California built a 8-1 lead by the end of the 6th.   But Kansas City rallied for 4 runs in the bottom of the 7th, the big blow being a Jerry Martin pinch hit 2-run home run.  With the score 8-5 the Royals managed to bring the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the 8th inning. Facing his last batter, Ryan managed to strike out Don Slaught to end the threat.  The Angels then scored 3 runs in the top of the 9th to put the game out of reach, and to earn the Series victory.
Angels win series 3-2
Click here to view series box scores