1979 Angels Week 8: Back in first place

The Angels had a losing week, dropping four of seven in Milwaukee and Chicago, including a sweep at the hands of the Brewers. But thanks to a five-game losing streak by the Twins, the Halos find themselves back in first place in the American League West.

Here’s a look at the week ending May 27, 1979.

The good

Dan Ford hit .440 (11-for-25), including a four-hit game Tuesday and two doubles on Saturday.

Don Baylor continues to provide the power with six extra-base hits, six RBI and seven runs scored in seven games. Baylor through Sunday is hitting .339 and leads the majors with 47 RBI, with a healthy lead on the rest of the field.

Don Aase allowed a single run in each of his starts, each a complete game. But he suffered the tough-luck loss Wednesday in Milwaukee, out-dueled by a Bill Travers shutout. Aase stood out among the starters, who has a group posted a 5.48 ERA in seven games.

Relievers, meanwhile, allowed only two runs in 14 innings, a 1.23 ERA. Dyar Miller pitched two scoreless outings, totaling 5⅔ innings. Mark Clear had a three-inning save Saturday at Comiskey Park, and has a 1.87 ERA on the season.

The bad

It’s been a rough month for Frank Tanana, knocked out of two starts in the first inning and missed some time with a groin injury. After a week off the mound, Tanana was back Saturday in Chicago, but allowed four runs in six innings. Luckily the Angels backed him with eight runs in that one, snapping out of an offensive slump earlier in the week.

Tanana has a 4.30 ERA on the season, including 8.03 in May.

California was held to one run or fewer three times in their four-game losing streak, with a couple notable slumps. Five different Angels regulars hit .200 or worst last week, including Bobby Grich 3-for-18 (.167), Carney Lansford 5-for-30 (.167), Rick Miller 6-for-30 (.200), Willie Aikens 3-for-15 (.200)

Shortstop Bert Campaneris, acquired from Texas on May 4, was 2-for-19 (.105) last week. On the season, he’s hitting .167/.247/.181 in 29 games.

Weekly summary

3-4 record
29 runs scored (4.14 per game)
30 runs allowed (4.29 per game)
.484 pythagorean record

Year-to-date summary

28-19 record
258 runs scored (5.49 per game)
208 runs allowed (4.43 per game)
.597 pythagorean record

AL West standing: 1st place, a game up on Minnesota and Texas

Game results

• Tuesday, May 22: Brewers 7, Angels 1
• Wednesday, May 23: Brewers 1, Angels 0
• Thursday, May 24: Brewers 9, Angels 6
• Friday, May 25: White Sox 6, Angels 1
• Saturday, May 26: Angels 8, White Sox 4
• Sunday, May 27: Game 1 — Angels 4, White Sox 2
• Sunday, May 27: Game 2 — Angels 9, White Sox 1

Up next

The Angels play a pair of sixth-place teams this week, finishing up their road trip in Seattle before coming home to host the Indians in Anaheim.