The Angels back in 1979 held their destiny in their own hands, facing the second-place Royals for the first of two series down the stretch to decide the American League West.
California held the advantage, entering the first series in Kansas City ahead by three games, facing a Royals team that won the division in each of the previous three seasons. But things did not start well for the Angels, who were drubbed, 16-4 in Monday’s series opener.
“The season’s not lost because of one ballgame,” Don Baylor said, per the San Bernardino Sun (1).