1986 American League Championship Series

The 1986 American League Championship Series was a back-and-forth battle between the Boston Red Sox and the California Angels for the right to advance to the 1986 World Series. The Red Sox came in with a 95-66 record and the AL East division title, while the Angels went 92-70 during the regular season to win the AL West.

Game 5

California looked set to earn their first ever trip to a World Series the next afternoon. Grich, the previous night's hero, homered to give California a 3-2 lead in the 6th inning. Rob Wilfong appeared to put the nail in the coffin with an RBI double in the 7th, and the Angels led 5-2 after eight innings.

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The Angels came within one strike from their first-ever AL Pennant. Witt was two outs away from his second complete game victory of the series, when Don Baylor hit a two-strike, two-run home run to pull within 5-4. After retiring the next batter, Witt was replaced by Gary Lucas. Lucas hit Rich Gedman, and was replaced by Donnie Moore. Moore built up two strikes on Dave Henderson, and then "Hendu" homered, stunning the hometown crowd. Boston had taken a 6-5 lead.

Related Topics:
Don Baylor - Gary Lucas - Rich Gedman - Donnie Moore - Dave Henderson

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The lead would not last, however, as in the bottom of the 9th, Boone singled, and Jones pinch-ran for him. Pettis sacrificed him to second, and Wilfong singled him home, tying the game. Schofield singled, sending Wilfong to 3rd, and Downing was intentionally walked to load the bases with 1 out. All of Boston's top-half heroics would be washed away with a sacrifice fly, but a short fly ball to right field by DeCinces, and a line-out to pitcher Steve Crawford ended the inning.

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The teams settled down and the 10th inning was again scoreless, but the Red Sox loaded the bases in the top of the 11th for Henderson. Henderson hit a sacrifice fly, scoring the go-ahead run, and Calvin Schiraldi retired the Angels in order in the bottom of the 11th, completing a shocking comeback, and breaking the hearts of Angel Nation.

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