California’s Andy Messersmith snuffed out a late Royals rally, leading the Angels to a 6-2 win over Kansas City at Municipal Stadium.

Messersmith entered the game in relief of Angels starter Tom Murphy, with California ahead 4-1 after the Royals started the inning with a Mike Fiore single, Joe Foy double, and Lou Piniella single. Although Jerry Adair singled to drive in Foy, Messersmith retired Bob Oliver and pinch-hitters Joe Keough and Hawk Taylor to keep the California lead at 4-2.

The big inning for the Angels came in the fourth, when they scored three runs against Royals starter Wally Bunker. Jim Fregosi led off with a walk and scored on a Jay Johnstone double. Two walks and two outs later, Bobby Knoop extended the lead with a two-run single.

California added one run in the seventh, pushing the lead to 4-0, before the Royals finally broke through on offense in the bottom of the inning. The Angels then added two insurance runs in the ninth. Messersmith finished off the game and picked up his first save of the season with scoreless eighth and ninth innings.

Box score and play-by-play: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA196904270.shtml

Today’s birthdays: Pat Lennon (1968), Orber Moreno (1977), Runelvys Hernandez (1978), Joey Gathright (1981), Aaron Brooks (1990)