Angels report: Inside pitch
The Angels' five-run rally in the final two innings Sunday to complete their Division Series sweep of the Red Sox was shocking, considering their recent postseason history against Boston.
But considering their most recent history this year, it shouldn't have been shocking at all.
Sunday's victory was the Angels' 48th come-from-behind win this season, including 10 times when they trailed by four runs or more at some point in the game. They were down 5-1 after five innings Sunday. The 47 comeback victories during the season was a club record and ranked second in the majors. The nine regular-season comebacks from four runs down or more was the most in the majors.
Thus, the Angels finally defeated the Red Sox after three failures in five years and four overall.
"I think it's more impressive because we beat one of the best closers in the game on their home field. They've closed out a lot of games here with him on the mound," third baseman Chone Figgins said of the comeback against Boston's Jonathan Papelbon, who had never given up a postseason run before Sunday. "We beat them in their park with their closer on the mound. That's special."
Going into the series, the Angels had faced the Red Sox in the postseason four times -- the 1986 ALCS and then the ALDS in 2004, 2007 and 2008. The Red Sox eliminated the Angels in each of those series, winning nine of 10 games in the three ALDS.
"This feels great," owner Arte Moreno said in the midst of the celebration. "Fourth time is a charm, I guess."
ANGELS 7, RED SOX 6: Down two runs when the ninth inning started, the Angels were down to their last out and even their last strike on three occasions as they rallied to beat the Red Sox and sweep them from the ALDS. The rally started with a two-out single by Erick Aybar. Chone Figgins walked and Bobby Abreu drilled an RBI double off the Green Monster. With first base open, the Red Sox intentionally walked Torii Hunter to load the bases for Vladimir Guerrero. Guerrero drove in the tying and go-ahead runs with a single to center field.
Copyright (C) 2009 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
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