Angels Finally Avert Sweep, Stay Alive in 12

By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Oct 6, 2008 12:15 AM CDT
Angels Finally Avert Sweep, Stay Alive in 12
Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis, left, tags out Los Angeles Angels' Erick Aybar after he bunted in the second inning of Game 3 of the ALDS in Boston, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008.    (Charles Krupa)

Francisco Rodriguez's biggest save of a record-breaking season came in a tie game. Rodriguez wriggled out of a bases-loaded jam in the 10th inning, Mike Napoli hit two early homers before scoring the go-ahead run in the 12th and the Los Angeles Angels avoided another playoff sweep by beating the Boston Red Sox, 5-4, early this morning.

Boston had beaten Los Angeles in 11 consecutive AL playoff games, including three-game sweeps in 2004 and '07 en route to a pair of World Series titles. But the Angels chased Red Sox ace Josh Beckett early, then got six scoreless innings from five relievers. Jon Lester will face Angels right-hander John Lackey in Game 4 tonight. (More baseball stories.)

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