With the game tied 2-2 in the top of the 11th inning, the Los Angeles Angels got an RBI single by Chone Figgins to take a one-run lead. The Yankees needed to score in the bottom of the 11th. Rodriguez, who led off the inning, quickly took care of that issue by blasting a solo shot.

In the bottom of the 13th inning, the Yankees won the game when Jerry Hairston, Jr. scored following a throwing error by Maicer Izturis. The victory gives the Yankees a commanding 2-0 lead in the best out of seven ALCS.

The next contest in this exciting series takes place on Monday in California. Andy Pettitte will start for the Yankees, while the Angels will send Jered Weaver to the hill.

Alex Rodriguez Hero (Image: Zuma Press)

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Alex Rodriguez a Hero Again for Yankees

When the Red Sox entered the eighth inning with a 5-2 lead, the Angels’ chances didn’t appear to be too great. But, with the Angels trailing by a run in the ninth, Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run single to give Los Angeles the lead. Brian Fuentes pitched a perfect ninth to put the Red Sox to bed.

Guerrero finished the contest 2-for-4 with one run and two RBIs, while Bobby Abreu was 3-for-5 with two runs and one RBI.

The Red Sox have plenty of blame to go around. Dustin Pedroia, Victor Martinez, Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay and David Ortiz all hit under .200 for the series.

For the Angels, they now move on to face the New York Yankees for a right to advance to the 2009 World Series.

Bobby Abreu celebrates the sweep of the Red Sox (Image: Zuma Press)

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Red Sox Swept by Angels

This victory, which improved the Angels record to 92-64, didn’t require much effort. Los Angeles was up 3-0 after one inning and 8-0 after four innings. Eventually, the Angels claimed an 11-0 win over the Rangers.

Ervin Santana, who struggled for most of the season, was very good on Monday as he pitched a 7-hit shutout while only walking one batter. The outing improved his record to 8-8 and lowered his ERA to 5.10.

The offensive production came largely from Vladimir Guerrero and Kendry Morales. Guerreero was 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, while Morales hit a two-run homer in the first inning to get the Angels off on the right foot.

As for the Rangers, while they are still technically alive, there season is realistically over. Although they put up a good fight, they have too many injured players and too many slumping bats to make a legit run at the AL Wild Card race at this point.

Los Angeles Angels Celebrate Clinching Division (Image: Zuma PresS)

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Los Angeles Angels Clinch AL West

In his first start since June 19th, Matsuzaka pitched six scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels. He gave up three hits, three walks and struck out five. He was able pick up his second win of the season and lowered his ERA from 8.23 to 7.02.

Thanks to Matsuzaka’s effort on the mound, the Red Sox topped the Angels by a final count of 4-1. David Ortiz hit a one-run single in the sixth and then smashed a solo homer in the eighth.

If Matsuzaka can return to his All-Star form, the Red Sox will have a much better chance of having success in the playoffs. As it is, the team’s starting pitching may be too inconsistent to make too much noise.

Daisuke Matsuzaka - Boston Red Sox (Image: Zuma Press)

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Daisuke Matsuzaka Impressive in Return

With a single and a triple in the seventh inning, Pie was able to hit for the cycle. It was the seventh time this season that a player hit for the Cycle in Major League Baseball. Earlier this week, Troy Tulowitzki hit for the cycle.

With Pie supplying the heroics, the Orioles were able to beat the Los Angeles Angels by a final count of 16-6. For the game, Pie was 4-for-5 with three runs and four RBIs.

On the season, Pie is hitting .254 with three homers and 15 RBIs. The 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic still has a long ways to go to prove that he can live up to his potential — but Friday was a good start.

Felix Pie of the Orioles hits for the cycle (Image: Zuma Press)

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Felix Pie Hits for the Cycle

Santana reportedly believes that after skipping the start, which would have been on Tuesday, he’ll be able to go again when it’s his turn.

Last year, Santana was 16-7 with a 3.49 ERA. This year hasn’t been nearly as productive. In six starts, he has a 7.47 ERA and a record of 1-3. In 31.1 innings of work, he’s given up 45 hits and 13 walks while striking out only 21 batters.

The native of the Dominican Republic will be replaced in the starting rotation by Sean O’Sullivan. To make room for O’Sullivan, the Angels will reportedly place Kelvim Escobar on the DL.

At 33-29, the Angels have done a really fine job this year, especially considering all of the tragic loss of starting pitcher Nick Adenhart.

Ervin Santana Injury Update (Image: Newscom)

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Ervin Santana to Miss a Start

Kelvim Escobar Returns (Image: Zuma Press)

Shoulder surgery is the reason why he’s missed so much time. He didn’t pitch at all in 2008 and missed the beginning of this season while still recovering.

In 2007, Escobar was one of the best pitchers in the American League. In 30 starts, the native of Venezuela had an 18-7 record to go along with a 3.40 ERA.

Now 33 years old, Escobar has a lot to prove. In recent comments, he says that he feels healthy and wants to help his team.

If Escobar can return to the top of his game, that’d be a huge boost for the Angels. Currently, L.A. is 4.5 games behind the Texas Rangers in the American League West. Last season, the Angeles had the best record in baseball at 100-62. This year, their record is 26-25.

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Kelvim Escobar to Return for the Angels

Adenhart was the young pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels who lost his life in an automobile accident on April 9th. Gallo, who later was found to have a blood-alcohol level of almost three times the California legal limit, was immediately arrested. With a long history of driving under the influence of alcohol, most legal experts expect that Gallo will have the book thrown at him.

Prior to his death, Adenhart had just made his season debut for the Angeles. A pitcher who had battled back from injuries, Adenhart threw six innings in which he didn’t allow a run.

Adenhart was only 22 years old when he died.

Rest in Peace, Nick Adenhart (Image: Newscom)

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Andrew Gallo Indicted for Adenhart’s Death

Josh Beckett Suspended (Image: Flickr)

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound right-hander wasn’t too pleased with the decision:

“I respect the job they have to do,” said Beckett, “but I don’t agree.”

After the incident, Angels manager Mike Scioscia called for Beckett to be suspended. Once he heard of the suspension, he agreed.

“It makes us feel good that Major League Baseball really supported our position,” said Scioscia, “especially since we were somehow portrayed as the aggressors in that.”

Following the brawl, three members of the Angels were ejected, while no one on the Red Sox was ejected.

Beckett has a 1-1 record after two starts with a 3.46 ERA.

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Josh Beckett Suspended for Six Games

Nick Adenhart Remembered (Image: Newscom)

When Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver took the mound, he put Adenhart’s initials in the dirt. He then threw 6.2 great innings in which he gave up only four hits and two walks, while striking out eight and allowing no earned runs.

To put the runs on the board, the Angels got big games from Bobby Abreu, Vladimir Guerrero and Jeff Mathis. Guerrero and Mathis were 2-for-4 at the plate, while Abreu was 3-for-4.

With the win, the Angels improve to 2-2. The loss dropped Boston’s record to 1-3.

After the game, the attention immediately returned to the Angels’ fallen teammate.

“I just keep hoping,” said Angels pitcher Kevin Jepsen, whose locker is next to Adenhart’s, “that he walks through that door.”

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Angels Remember Adenhart; Beat Boston