Jon Matlack holds George Brett hitless, snapping his hitting streak at 30 consecutive games, but Kansas City rallies for three runs in the 9th to beat Texas, 4 – 3. Brett batted .467 during the streak and knocked in 42 runs.
Baltimore’s Steve Stone becomes the first 20-game winner in the major leagues this season, holding the Angels hitless for 7 1/3 innings on the way to a 5 – 2 victory.
August 18, 1980 – In a game called after 6 1/2 innings because of rain‚ the Cardinals defeat the Reds‚ 10-1‚ behind Ken Forsch. Forsch helps in the 5th‚ getting all 3 outs on grounders back to him. Ted Simmons is 4-for-4 with 4 runs and a pair of homers‚ including one in the…
Al Oliver belts four home runs – one in the opener and three in the nightcap – as the Rangers sweep a doubleheader from the Tigers, 9 – 3 and 12 – 6. He is the second American League player to hit four home runs in a doubleheader this season. Al also adds a double and triple in the opener and his 21 total bases for the two games is a record.
1980 – In the 20th inning, the Padres play good hosts, giftwrapping a rally so Houston can celebrate a 3-1 victory. An error by Ozzie Smith puts Luis Pujols aboard, a late throw to second moves him up then Jerry Mumphrey muffs a fly ball from Terry Puhl to bring in the winning runs. Rookie Dave Smith, a San Diego product, pitches the final four innings for the win, ending the 6-1/2 hour marathon.
1980 – Oakland’s Rick Langford (13-9) defeats the Mariners, 11 – 3, for his 17th consecutive complete game, the most in the majors since Robin Roberts’ 20 in a row in 1953.
1980 – The Yankees trade righty Ken Clay and a player to be named later to the Rangers for 41-year-old pitcher Gaylord Perry.
1980 – Tiger Stadium is packed with 48‚361 fans to see Mark Fidrych’s return to the big leagues‚ a 5 – 4 loss to the Red Sox. The 1976 American League Rookie of the Year will go 2-3 with a 5.73 ERA in what will be his final attempt to come back from injury‚ and his last major league season.
In the third inning of a 3-1 Yankee victory over the White Sox, Reggie Jackson connects off of Britt Burns for his 400th career home run. Mr. October will finish his 21-year career with 563 dingers, placing him sixth on the all-time list when he retired in 1987.
1980 – Steve McCatty becomes the 4th A’s starter to pitch a 14-inning complete game this season, losing 2 – 1 to Seattle despite pitching a 6-hitter. Teammates Matt Keough (on May 17th), Mike Norris (June 11th), and Rick Langford (July 20th) have also pitched 14-inning complete games for manager Billy Martin, who will later be widely criticized for ruining their arms through overwork.