Troubling 3-year trend for Angels
The Angels are struggling to hit with runners in scoring position, .211 in five playoff games, just like 2007 and ‘08.
Lost amidst a three-game sweep of the Red Sox and five relatively effective performances from the starting pitchers is a most unwelcome playoff trend for the Angels.
The Angels are again having difficulty hitting with runners in scoring position, going 4 for 18 in the first two games of the American League Championship Series against the Yankees. They were 3 for 15 in Saturday’s 4-3 13-inning loss in Game 2.
If the Angels are to salvage the ALCS, they’re going to need to start hitting in the clutch, beginning with Game 3 today at Angel Stadium.
Click here to read the full article – By MICHAEL BECKER of PE.com
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Sox left dead Red
Torii Hunter emerged from the visitors’ clubhouse at Fenway Park to spray champagne over the fans and family gathered there. Erick Aybar did him one better, handing over bottles of bubbly to those who came from California to see the Los Angeles Angels go for the sweep.
History gave no reason to hope for such a celebration.
The Angels and Vladimir Guerrero shrugged off their postseason failures and swept away the Red Sox on Sunday, scoring three runs off Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning to beat Boston 7-6 and advance to the AL championship series.
It was the first postseason sweep in Angels franchise history. And they did it against the team that has knocked them out of the playoffs the previous four times they met.
“I told you guys earlier: It’s going to be a different scene,” Hunter said in the clubhouse afterward. “Vladdy came through. That’s probably one of the biggest hits of his career. They’ve been waiting for him to do it, and he did it.”
Papelbon was one strike away from extending the series with three different batters, but Aybar singled on a two-strike pitch, Chone Figgins walked after fouling off a full-count offering and Bobby Abreu fouled off three straight pitches before doubling in one run.
Hunter was walked intentionally before Guerrero singled the first pitch to center and Figgins and Abreu raced home to give Los Angeles a 7-6 lead. Major league saves leader Brian Fuentes pitched the ninth, and when Aybar caught Dustin Pedroia’s popup to end the game, pumping his right arm even as he tracked the ball with his left, the Angels advanced.
“It’s nice to be going home and playing again, instead of going home and it’s over,” said pitcher John Lackey, who was part of the Angels teams that were eliminated by Boston in three times in the previous five years. “This is the most fun for me, and I’ve got a ring. That says a lot.”
Click here to read the full article – By JIMMY GOLEN of DailyDemocrat.com
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John Lackey earns 100th victory with Angels
These are the glory days for the Angels. They used to go decades without a playoff appearance. Now they go to the playoffs just about every year.
When fans look back upon this era of excellence, John Lackey figures to be the starting pitcher who comes to mind. He earned his 100th win for the Angels on Sunday, joining Chuck Finley, Nolan Ryan, Frank Tanana and Mike Witt in that distinguished club.
“It’s a big deal,” Lackey said. “The list is pretty short of guys who have done it in this uniform. Those are some pretty big names. It’s cool to be in the same sentence with those guys.”
Click here to read the full article – By BILL SHAIKIN of Los Angeles Times
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