Finley Bid for 19 Fails Again, 4-0

Chuck Finley’s chances to become a 20-game winner have dwindled down to only two.

Finley, who seemed a good bet to reach 20 when he got No. 17 on Sept. 2, saw another opportunity escape Sunday when the Kansas City Royals beat the Angels, 4-0, on a five-hitter by Steve Farr.

“Finley threw all right,” Manager Doug Rader said. “There were some things out there that frustrated him. They are all pulling for him to win 20. I think we’re losing a little bit of the joy that’s supposed to be involved in what we’re doing.”

Finley (18-8) permitted five hits in six innings but walked six and gave up all of the Royals’ runs as the Angels lost for the sixth time in seven games.

Rader said he will likely give Finley two more starts in his bid to become the Angels’ first 20-game winner since Nolan Ryan in 1974.

Farr (12-7), who leads the Royals in victories, struck out three and walked three.

Brian McRae’s a two-run single highlighted a three-run fourth for the Royals, who also scored in the second when Russ Morman tripled and scored on Finley’s wild pitch.