Editor’s note: The 1980 Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will be used for any games involving American League teams. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur. For this tournament, the rules include a three-man pitching rotation using the best lineups available.
California broke open a tight contest with six runs in the third inning as the Angels posted an 11-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1980 American League Tournament.
The Angels will play in the second round at the winner of the Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox affair.
With the score tied at 1-1, the Angels batted around against Brewers starter Moose Haas as he would retire just one hitter in the frame. Mike Caldwell was able to stop the Angels, but the damage had been done.
Rod Carew began the rally with a RBI single before the Angels had a power surge.
Jason Thompson smacked a three-run homer before Brian Downing added a two-run shot to put the Angels on top 7-1.
In the sixth, both teams scored with the Angels adding to their lead.
Larry Harlow hit a two-run homer, while Carney Lansford had a RBI single to put the Angels on top 10-1.
The Brewers had a run-scoring double by Gorman Thomas and a RBI single by Robin Yount and it was 10-3.
A solo homer by Paul Molitor in the seventh provided the final tally for the Brewers.
California’s last run came when Thompson hit into a double play in the eighth.
Frank Tanana went the distance for the Angels to get the win. He gave up 10 hits and had four strikeouts.
Thompson picked up the first RBI of the contest as he walked with the bases loaded in the opening inning.
The Angels tied the game at 1-1 when Buck Martinez knocked in a run on a fielder’s choice.
1980 AL Tournament
First Round Pairings and Results
(1) New York Yankees (103-59), bye
(8) Oakland Athletics 8, (9) Minnesota Twins 2
(13) California Angels 11, (4) Milwaukee Brewers 4
(12) Toronto Blue Jays (67-95) at (5) Boston Red Sox (83-77)
(2) Baltimore Orioles (100-62), bye
(10) Texas Rangers (76-85) at (7) Cleveland Indians (79-81)
(14) Seattle Mariners (59-103) at (3) Kansas City Royals (97-65)
(11) Chicago White Sox (70-90) at (6) Detroit Tigers (84-78)
1980 NL Tournament
First Round Pairings
(1) Houston Astros (93-70), bye
(9) St. Louis Cardinals (74-88) at (8) San Francisco Giants (75-86)
(4) Montreal Expos (90-72), bye
(12) Chicago Cubs (64-98) at (5) Cincinnati Reds (89-73)
(2) Los Angeles Dodgers (92-71), bye
(10) San Diego Padres (73-89) at (7) Atlanta Braves (81-80)
(3) Philadelphia Phillies (91-71), bye
(11) New York Mets (67-95) at (6) Pittsburgh Pirates (83-79)