GAME 5: Angels 7, Reds 6

October 22, Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim 

Gary Nolan vs Nolan Ryan
Angels 7, Reds 6
The Nolans who started Game 1 (Ryan and Gary) returned for Game 5. California grabbed early control of the game, scoring twice in the bottom of the 2nd and 3rd innings, helped by Bob Oliver’s 2-run HR.  Nolan Ryan struck out 6 Reds in the first 4 innings and appeared to be cruising.

But the Big Red Machine got into gear in the 5th, scoring twice behind a Dave Concepcion triple, a Pete Rose double, and a George Forster single.  The real damage was done an inning later when, after 2 were out, Ryan completely lost his mojo, and yielded 3 walks and 3 singles.  By the time the dust had settled, Cincinnati was up 6-4.  And when the Angles failed to score in the bottom of the 6th, the Anaheim stadium staff began covering the Visitor locker room in protective plastic, while the Reds cub house staff began chilling the champagne.

Still, California refused to go quietly. In the bottom of the 7th, Jerry Remy led off with a bunt single. When Mickey Rovers followed with a hit & run single, the Angels had runners on the corners with no outs.  Ross Grimsely came on to induce a double play grounder from Bobby Valentine.  The Angels scored on the play to make it a 6-5 game.  But now they had 2 outs and bases empty.  The quite Anaheim crowd then came alive suddenly when next batter Bobby Grich launched one down the left field line for a game-tying solo HR.

California relievers Lloyd Allen and Mel Queen managed to keep Cincinnati off the board for the 7th, 8th and 9th innings.  In the bottom of the 9th, the Angels loaded the bases with 2 outs off reliever Rawley Eastwick.  Ken Berry, California’s best hitter all season, was called on to pinch hit, and delivered a ground ball through the hole on the right side to score Jerry Remy with the winning run.  The comeback, walk off victory gave the Halos some needed confidence, as well as one more day of life.
Cincinnati leads the Series 3-2
--submitted by Douglas Zaner--