Kansas City Defense Does In Angels, 4-2

As a former All-Star second baseman, Manager Cookie Rojas could appreciate what Kansas City did Wednesday night to beat his Angels, 4-2.

In support of starting pitcher Floyd Bannister and three relievers, the Royals turned three double plays and got a fine bases-loaded catch from left fielder Pat Tabler that saved at least two runs.

“Their defense saved the game,” Rojas said. “We hit the ball pretty good several times without getting anything. But that’s what you’re supposed to do. They hit, you catch it, and the Royals sure did.”

Tabler, making a rare start in left field, ran in full speed for a tumbling shoestring catch of Bob Boone’s bases-loaded line drive with two out in the fourth. If the ball had gotten past Tabler on the slick artificial turf, Boone might have had an inside-the-park homer.

“When you don’t play defense that much and you get a chance to do something, it’s a good feeling,” Tabler said. “It feels like getting three hits. As I was running for it, the ball held up there just for a split second . . . and found its way into my glove.”

George Brett had three hits, including a home run, and Bo Jackson hit a two-run triple.

Floyd Bannister hiked his record to 10-12, surrendering eight hits through seven innings. Steve Farr pitched the final inning for his 18th save. He gave up a run on a sacrifice fly by Johnny Ray.

Brett and Tabler singled in the first and Frank White followed with an RBI single for a 1-0 lead against Chuck Finley, 9-13. With Tabler at second and White at first, Jackson hit his second triple in two days into right field for a 3-0 lead.

Brett hit his 23rd home run leading off the third, giving him 97 runs batted in.

In the Angels’ sixth, Chili Davis hit a long drive into right-center, which Jackson and Willie Wilson converged on at the wall. Wilson appeared to have made the catch, but dropped the ball as Jackson apparently brushed against him. Jackson was charged with an error. Davis stopped at third and scored on Mike Brown’s infield out.