June 2, 1964 - Young Dean Chance pitched a two-hitter at Chavez Ravine tonight, striking out 15 Boston batters and allowing but two singles as the Los Angeles Angels broke their five-game losing streak with a 1-0 victory before a paltry gathering of 3,372 fans.
The 23-year-old right-hander, who has been yelling for more money ever since spring training opened in February, took a giant stride in the direction of Gene Autry’s wallet with his hurling gem.
He had a no-hitter going until Dick Stuart singled with two out and Dalton Jones aboard via the last of Dean’s four walks in the sixth inning. Chance then fanned Lu Clinton to turn back the only threat the Beantowners made all evening. Jones was the only Sox runner to reach second base.
Although Chance was tickled with his performance, he said, “I think when I lost to the Yankees last year, 2-1, against Whitey Ford I actually pitched better than tonight. But I’m mighty glad to win.
“Yes, I threw Stuart a curve with two strikes when he got their first hit in the sixth. After what happened to Barry Latman the night before [Stuart hit a homer to beat L.A. by one run], I was determined I wasn’t going to have him hit one out of the park off me. And I was pretty sure he couldn’t do it on a curveball.
“Last game I pitched, I was tipping off my pitches. I corrected that by throwing more sliders than sinkers. I felt stronger as I went along.”
The big Ohio farm boy struck out every Boston batter except Frank Malzone at least once. Stuart was victimized three times, the last with Felix Mantilla on first via a single in the ninth.
A slick double play, Billy Moran to Bobby Knoop to Joe Adcock, then closed out the game as manager Bill Rigney threw his cap into the air when he and Angel bench warmers rushed out to pump Dean’s hand.
With tonight’s victory, Chance became the first Angel pitcher to win four games this year. He reduced his ERA to 2.12.
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