Top 50 Moments in Angel Stadium History #41-#45

Don Sutton had an amazing career with a number of teams including the Angels where he won his 300th game in June of 1986. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

#45 – 7/27/86 – Don Sutton gets his 304th career victory beating Boston’s Tom Seaver in a match-up of 300 game winners for only the second time in MLB History.

The California Angels were struggling to put everything together toward the end of July in 1986 and their hopes of winning the AL West their third division title in eight seasons was not looking good. The Boston Red Sox on the other hand were having a great season and were looking to win their first division title since 1975 and were also hoping to make their first World Series appearance since 1975.

On Sunday, July 27, 1986 the Angels and Red Sox squared off in the rubber game of a three-game series in Anaheim.  What made the game even more interesting is that it was a match-up of two 300 game winners in Boston starter Tom Seaver (308 wins) and the Angels starter was Don Sutton (304 wins).

Sutton, who had won #300 a month earlier against Texas, was on his game this day posting zeroes in the first four innings. Seaver matched him in the first three innings, but then in the fourth Bobby Grich led off with a home run to give the Angels a 1-0 lead.  Later in the inning Gary Pettis drove in Bob Boone from second on a ground-rule double to extend the lead to 2-0..

Sutton continued to throw up zeroes and exited after six innings with the shutout intact.  Seaver also left after six with Boston still training 2-0.  Gary Lucas came on in the 7th after Sutton gave up a lead-off single to Tony Armas and struck out the first two batter he faced.  He then got Marty Barrett to ground into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

A side note:  In the bottom of the 7th inning the 62,958 people who had jammed into Anaheim Stadium that day, squeezed the brim of the white Angels hats they had received upon entering the stadium.  When they pressed on the bill the hats played Take Me Out to the ball game as the tune was playing over the stadium organ.  (how about a Guinness Book of World Records shout out).

In the 8th inning Lucas got into trouble walking Wade Boggs to lead off the inning.  After Bill Buckner lined out to left, manager Gene Mauch took out Lucas and brought in closer Donnie Moore who promptly allowed a single to Jim Rice.  Boggs then proceeded to get in a run down while trying to advance to third.  Then Mike Greenwell ended the threat with a fly out to left.

The Angels would add to their lead in the bottom of the 8th inning,  Brian Downing led off with a triple and later scored on a Bob Boone sac-fly giving the Angels a 3-0 lead.. Moore made it stand up for a 3-0 victory.  This was a memorable game and it would end up in the Angels favor.

It was a special day as the Angels would get a big win.

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