Three late runs lifted the Angels to a 3-2 win over the Royals at Anaheim Stadium. California tied the game with a single run in the sixth, then tallied single runs in the seventh and eighth innings, giving them a victory even though Kansas City scored in the ninth.

For six innings, Royals starter Mike Hedlund and Angels starter Jim McGlothlin shut down their opponents. The Royals managed one run on an Ed Kirkpatrick home run in the third, but otherwise managed just two hits and two walks through the sixth. Hedlund scattered five hits and a walk over the first five frames before being let down by his defense in the sixth.

Rick Reichardt led off the California sixth with a single. Tom Satriano hit a potential double play ball to second baseman Paul Schaal, who booted it. Reichardt reached third on the error while Satriano was safe at first. Hedlund got a popup for the first out, but Bill Voss hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1-1 on an unearned run.

Dave Wickersham entered the game to pitch the seventh inning for Kansas City. A walk and two singles later, and California had a 2-1 lead. Wickersham also allowed a two-out solo home run to Bobby Knoop in the eighth.

That insurance run proved to be the difference in the game. Angels reliever Hoyt Wilhelm worked a perfect eighth inning, but Kansas City started the ninth with singles by Chuck Harrison and Bob Oliver. However, Schaal bounced into a double play. Ellie Rodriguez singled to drive in Harrison, but he was thrown out trying to take second on the play, ending the game.

The loss dropped the Royals to 12-11 on the season. That put them in third place in the AL West, 3.5 games behind Minnesota.

Box score and play-by-play: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL196905030.shtml

Today’s birthdays: Bob Buchanan (1961), Homer Bailey (1986), Mike Morin (1991)