Blyleven faced the minimum 27 batters that day, allowing only a walk to pinch-hitter Carlos May, while shortstop Bert Campaneris committed an error that was quickly erased by an Andy Etchebarren double-play.
In just two hours and seven minutes, the “Frying Dutchman” struck out seven on his way to improving his record to 14-12 while lowering his ERA to 2.72 on the season.
Sadly, only 8031 fans were on hand to see the gem on that Thursday night at Anaheim Stadium, due in part to the Angels record of 72-79 at that point, while the Rangers improved to a 86-67 record, though still 10.5 games behind the division leading Kansas City Royals, who would steam-roll to the West title and a meeting with the defending American League champion New York Yankees.
As for Blyleven, he finished the season with that 14-12 record as well as “only” 182 strikeouts, the first time he didn’t top 200 K’s since his rookie year of 1970.
Nevertheless, he’d go on to collect 3701 strikeouts over his HOF career, along with 287 wins, 60 shutouts and a very nice 3.31 ERA in 22 years.
