BASEBALL MISCELLANY : THE CURSE OF GAME 5:

Last Wednesday marked the 10-month anniversary of the most devastating defeat in Angel history--Game 5 of the 1986 American League playoffs.

On the afternoon of Oct. 12, 1986, the Angels went from the brink of their first World Series to postseason oblivion, blowing a 5-2 lead in the ninth inning and losing in the 11th to the Boston Red Sox, 7-6.

The fallout from that loss was immediate--the shattered Angels also lost the decisive Games 6 and 7--and, perhaps, it is still being felt. Consider what has happened in the last 10 months to the principal characters who brought Game 5 to a climax: MIKE WITT: He was one out away from pitching the Angels into the World Series, but, thanks to Manager Gene Mauch, never had the chance to get that out. At the time, Witt had an 18-10 record, a 2.84 earned-run average and was a Cy Young Award candidate. So far in 1987, he’s a deceiving 14-8. His ERA, 3.75, is nearly a full run-per-game higher, he has failed to complete seven innings in 12 of 26 starts, and he has allowed 29 hits in his last 21 innings.

GARY LUCAS: He replaced Witt in Game 5, threw one pitch and hit Rich Gedman with it. In 1987, Lucas spent April and May with an ERA over 9.00, worked just four times in June and, despite a recent run of good outings, has a 1-2 record and a 4.11 ERA.

RICH GEDMAN: He missed the first month of this season because of a contract dispute. Then he had two stints on the disabled list, the second one with a broken finger that finished him for 1987. His statistics: .205 batting average, 1 home run, 13 RBIs, 8 errors in 52 games.

DONNIE MOORE: He served up the two-out, two-strike home run ball to Dave Henderson in Game 5. Since then, Moore hasn’t served up many pitches of any kind. Bothered by chronic soreness in his rib cage, he has made just 13 appearances in 1987, saving 5 games. He is back on the disabled list, he hasn’t pitched since July 8 and doesn’t appear close to returning.

DAVE HENDERSON: Boston’s home run hero lost his center-field job to rookie Ellis Burks before the 1987 All-Star break. Through Friday, Henderson had played in only 64 games and was batting .222 with 7 home runs and 20 runs batted in.

DOUG DeCINCES: Needing a sacrifice fly with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, DeCinces helped scuttle an Angel rally in Game 5 by popping to shallow right field. DeCinces’ 1987 numbers: .241 batting average, 13 home runs, 50 RBIs, .204 with runners in scoring position. Usually a strong second-half hitter, DeCinces has hit two home runs since July 7.