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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Angels eliminate Boston

Jimmy Golen Associated Press

BOSTON – 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 A.L. 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.

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, 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 three times in the previous five years. “This is the most fun for me, and I’ve got a ring. That says a lot.”

Guerrero had one RBI in 19 playoff games since his grand slam against Boston in the 2004 division series.

And he came through against Papelbon, who had never before allowed a run in 27 postseason innings.

“You’re not going to get to him too often. But we did this afternoon,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “And I felt great for Vlad. Hopefully, that’s a momentum-builder for him. … He’s excited about contributing. And hopefully it will be the start of something good.”

Los Angeles trailed 5-1 early, was behind 5-2 after seven innings and still down 6-4 when Papelbon retired the first two batters of the ninth.

“The season doesn’t wind down. It just comes to a crashing halt,” Boston manager Terry Francona said. “You go into the top of the inning excited because you think you’re going to keep playing. Half an inning later, you’re going home. So it’s disappointing.”