#32 10/05/79 – Anaheim Stadium - Angels’ 1st Postseason Win

After clinching their first ever divisional title in team history, the Angels traveled to Baltimore to take on the AL East Champion Orioles. Unfortunately, the Orioles won the first two games - 6-3 in Game 1, and a 9-8 heartbreaker in which the Angels’ rally came up just short.

The Angels were down two games to none when they returned to Anaheim for Game 3, for the first postseason game to be played at Anaheim Stadium. Things were looking grim in the best-of-five series, but the Halos were determined to put up a fight.

The Angels struck first, when Dan Ford singled in Carney Lansford in the bottom of the first. The Orioles struck back in the fourth, tagging pitcher Frank Tanana for a run on a single by Lee May. The Angels immediately retook the lead on a solo shot to left-center by regular season MVP Don Baylor.

Clinging to a 2-1 lead, Tanana loaded the bases in the 6^th, and was relieved by Don Aase. Oriole Doug DeCinces then tied the score with a sacrifice fly. Aase gave up another run in the seventh.

Losing 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Rod Carew lined a one-out double to left-center. Brian Downing walked, and Bobby Grich reached on an error, allowing Carew to score. Amid chants of “Yes we can!” Larry Harlow rapped a walk-off double, scoring Downing from second for the winning run. The 4-3 victory was the Angels’ first postseason win, and the celebration continued long into the night. Although they’d lose the series the very next night, this victory provided a lifelong highlight for any Angel fan lucky enough to enjoy it.