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The 1979 Angels lead the major leagues in runs through games of May 20, and the last week saw several offensive stars in an undefeated week at home against the Brewers and White Sox.
The good
Rod Carew has reached base in every game he’s had a plate appearance this month, and ended the week on an 11-game hitting streak. His last five games were multi-hit affairs, scoring seven runs for the week while hitting .435 (10-for-23). On the season, the seven-time American League batting champion is hitting .366.
Don Baylor continues to drive in runs. Six more last week give him 41 RBI in 40 games to start the year. The Angels designated hitter doubled twice and hit .364 (8-for-22) last week, and hit a walk-off home run Tuesday to beat the Brewers.
Third baseman Carney Lansford was 8-for-20 (.400) during the week, including 3-for-5 with a home run in Saturday’s 10-6 win over Chicago.
Nolan Ryan returned to the mound after returning home early on the last road trip with his son in the hospital. He allowed only a single run in his two starts, including an 11-strikeout shutout of the White Sox on Sunday.
The undefeated week for the Angels allowed them to shave four games off the Twins’ lead in the AL West, with the two teams separated by just a half-game.
The bad
The Angels eventually won Wednesday against Milwaukee — they won every game last week. But in the second inning with two runners on base, Bobby Grich grounded into a triple play, the second hit into by the Angels in seven days. They also had a triple play against them on May 10 in Boston.
The non-Ryan starting pitchers for the Angels had a 5.68 ERA, but were buoyed by the high-powered offense and a bullpen that gave up only a single run in 15⅔ innings.
Weekly summary
6-0 record
35 runs scored (5.83 per game)
18 runs allowed (3.00 per game)
.772 pythagorean record
Year-to-date summary
25-15 record
229 runs scored (5.73 per game)
178 runs allowed (4.45 per game)
.613 pythagorean record
AL West standing: 2nd place, ½ game back of Minnesota
Game results
- Tuesday, May 15: Angels 2, Brewers 1
- Wednesday, May 16: Angels 4, Brewers 3
- Thursday, May 17: Angels 8, Brewers 5
- Friday, May 18: Angels 7, White Sox 3
- Saturday, May 19: Angels 10, White Sox 6
- Sunday, May 20: Angels 4, White Sox 0
Up next
The Angels play these very same teams again next week, only this time on the road, with three in Milwaukee and four in Chicago, the latter weekend series including a scheduled Sunday doubleheader next Sunday at Comiskey Park.