Angels’ Finley Runs Win Streak to Six in a Row, 5-4

Chuck Finley will probably never match Nolan Ryan’s four no-hitters in an Angels uniform, and topping Ryan’s franchise-record 2,416 strikeouts is a dream.

But Finley has matched the future Hall of Famer in one way: He earned his 138th career victory on Friday, tying Ryan atop the Angels’ all-time list with a 5-4 victory over Boston in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.

“I’ve been here 12 years now,” the unassuming 34-year-old from Louisiana said with a drawl reminiscent of Ryan’s. “Obviously, if you keep taking your turn in the rotation you’re going to start passing some people who put up some pretty good numbers.”

Ryan had a 138-121 record for California from 1972-79 before finishing his career with a 324-292 mark. He also totaled a major-league record 5,714 strikeouts and seven no-hitters in a 27-year career with four teams.

Finley (9-6) struck out nine on Friday to raise his career total to 1,716. He gave up one run on seven hits and three walks in seven innings for his sixth consecutive victory.

“He pitched tough when he got into jams. He seemed to really get tough in those situations,” Red Sox manager Jimy Williams said. “He’s pitched a long time, and been through that quite a bit.”

Finley has not lost since June 27. In July, he is 6-0 with a 2.32 ERA.

“Good teams, they depend on the No. 1 guy to stop streaks and give you winning streaks,” manager Terry Collins said. “That’s what he’s done. That’s his role.”

Jim Edmonds was 3-for-4 and Tim Salmon homered and drove in three runs as Anaheim won for the 13th time in 16 games.

Tom Gordon (5-9), who has been dangled as trade bait by the last-place Red Sox, lasted 6 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on 10 hits with four walks and four strikeouts. He left after Salmon hit a two-run homer--following Edmonds’ third single--to make it 5-1.

Boston rallied for three runs in the ninth off Troy Percival. Pinch-hitter Reggie Jefferson doubled in Jeff Frye, who opened the inning with a double. With two outs, Frye advanced to third on John Valentin’s single and then scored on a wild pitch.

Mo Vaughn drove in Valentin with an RBI single, but the threat ended as Mike Stanley popped out to shortstop to close the game.

The split-admission doubleheader was necessitated by a May 1 rainout.

There were only a couple thousand fans in the stands at the start of the first game and perhaps 6,000 at the end of the afternoon contest. The announced attendance of 20,427 was boosted by many season ticket-holders who went to work rather than sit outside on the windy 65-degree day.

The Angels scored three in the third inning when Gary DiSarcina singled with one out, Tony Phillips doubled and Darrin Erstad singled them both home. Erstad stole second and, after Gordon walked the bases loaded, scored on Salmon’s fielder’s choice.

The Red Sox made it 3-1 when Wilfredo Cordero singled with two outs in the sixth and Shane Mack hit an RBI double.