Advertisement

Candelaria Looks Heaven-Sent as Angels Win, 7-1

Share
Times Staff Writer

It represented one game in the standings, but maybe even more in the intangible column that is motivation and momentum.

The Angels drew to within a half-game of the Kansas City Royals in the American League West Monday night by defeating Bret Saberhagen and the Royals, 7-1, in the opener of a three-game series at Anaheim Stadium.

A disappointing but not disappointed crowd of 29,688 saw John Candelaria, warming to the September role for which he was acquired, allow only two hits in eight innings as he helped snap the Royals’ eight-game win streak.

Advertisement

“That was probably the best game pitched against us all year,” Kansas City Manager Dick Howser said in the wake of Candelaria’s fifth win in six decisions as an Angel.

Candy retired 20 in a row between a bloop double by Hal McRae leading off the second and a two-out homer by Daryl Motley in the eighth. He walked none, struck out four (including George Brett twice), received brilliant fielding support (“It was poetry,” Candelaria said) and watched Doug Corbett wrap it up with a flawless ninth.

The 21-year-old Saberhagen, among the top candidates to win his league’s Cy Young Award, came in with a seven-game win streak and a 17-5 record. He had not given up more than three earned runs in 16 straight starts and he had a 3-0 career record with an 0.75 ERA against the Angels.

Ruppert Jones shattered some of Saberhagen’s invincibility, snapping a scoreless tie with his 21st homer in the fourth, but it was reserve shortstop Craig Gerber who displayed disdain for Saberhagen’s credentials as he tripled and singled twice, driving in three runs.

Mark Huismann, who relieved Saberhagen, was tagged for a two-run homer by Daryl Sconiers in the eighth.

This was the type of performance Gene Mauch had seen infrequently on a 4-6 trip that turned a two-game California lead over Kansas City into a 1 1/2-game deficit.

Advertisement

It was the type of performance Mauch felt was mandatory.

“Anyway you look at it,” he said, “whether it’s the first of three or the first of seven (with the Royals this month), you can’t overemphasize the value of it. That doesn’t mean the Royals are going to fold or it doesn’t mean we would have folded if we had lost, but it’s a nice way to start the season--and that’s exactly what this was, the start of the season.

“I didn’t see a tired body. I didn’t see one player dragging. I don’t think there’s a guy in that clubhouse who even remembers being on the road.”

Candelaria had two of the Angels’ four wins on the trip. He has allowed just two runs and nine hits in 19 innings of three straight wins over New York, Detroit and Kansas City.

He has a 19-10 career record in September.

“I feel like I’m a good pitcher at any time of the year,” he said, having rebuilt his stamina after working only in relief for Pittsburgh before the August trade, “but I obviously like this kind of situation.

“I’ve proven I can pitch well in September. I think that when you look at the great ball Jim Slaton is now pitching that we can influence the kids.”

The possibility that Candelaria would stabilize a young rotation was one reason he was acquired. He has become the staff ace.

Advertisement

“This was obviously a big game because of the way we played on the last trip,” Candelaria said, “but I just wanted to go six or seven innings and hope I left with a lead. I didn’t want to put any more weight on myself because it just makes it harder.”

Candy’s defense made it a little easier. The acrobatics of third baseman Jack Howell took two potential hits away from the Royals in the fifth. Center fielder Gary Pettis roamed between Katella and Orangewood, making spectacular catches.

Even the weather was flawless. A cool evening that helped Candelaria go eight innings, providing Donnie Moore, who had pitched five innings in the last two games at Baltimore, with a night off.

It was an off night for Saberhagen, a control specialist who said: “My problem tonight was that I was falling behind too many hitters, but I don’t consider it a setback. It was just another outing. You can’t dwell on it.”

Gerber, by contrast, is likely to remember it. He was playing, in part, because Dick Schofield has a jammed left thumb. He was also playing because he swings left handed and went 2 for 3 against Saberhagen on June 28.

He is hitting .833 (5 for 6) against Saberhagen and .213 for his other 75 at-bats. His three RBIs in this one equaled his previous total.

Advertisement

Two came in the fifth, which Bobby Grich opened with a single. Pettis then grounded to first baseman Steve Balboni, who threw high and wide to second in a futile attempt to force Grich. Gerber then tripled off the right-field fence and later scored on Rod Carew’s fly to center.

It was 4-0 when the rookie Gerber struck again, following a walk and sacrifice with a ground single to right on what Mauch called Saberhagen’s best curve.

“When you sit around for 130 games without making much of a contribution,” Gerber said, “this obviously feels good. Saberhagen is the type pitcher who I feel I have a decent chance against because he throws strikes and I’m up there swinging. I didn’t know that I was going to play tonight but I always like to feel I have a chance just so that I’m not totally shocked when I’m in there.”

It was Candelaria, however, who made an impact on the Royals. Brett called it a masterpiece. He said the left-hander represented a “real find” for the Angels.

“The way he pitched,” Brett said, “You can’t take one loss too hard. We didn’t have a chance.”

Angel Notes

Angel Manager Gene Mauch said media criticism of right fielder George Hendrick for his play in the sixth inning Sunday at Baltimore was unjustified. He said the sun’s glare prevented Hendrick from seeing the Lee Lacy drive that Hendrick failed to pursue and sailed over his head for a double. He also defended the rainbow throw Hendrick made to second on Cal Ripken’s ensuing single to right, seemingly allowing a run to score. . . . Doug DeCinces, who has not started since Aug. 17 because of lower back problems but had a pinch-hit double Sunday at Baltimore, is still not ready to play in the field, Mauch said, adding that he is also leery of employing DeCinces as a designated hitter because of the movements he would have to make while running. The frustrated DeCinces is likely to remain restricted to pinch-hitting though the home stand. . . . The Angels put pitcher Curt Kaufman on a designated for assignment list, a steppingstone toward his eventual release. Kaufman, acquired from the Yankees for Tim Foli in December of 1983, was 1-2 at Edmonton this year. . . . Infielder Pat Keedy, who hit .277 with 17 home runs and 61 RBIs at Edmonton, joined the Angels Monday after being recalled for the final three weeks. . . . Wednesday’s series finale with the Royals will be televised by Channel 5. . . . Kirk McCaskill (9-10) faces Charlie Leibrandt (14-7) tonight.

Advertisement
Advertisement