Angels Eke Out 7-6 Win Over Yankees

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Kendry Morales singles in the winning run in the seventh inning to give the Angels a 7-6 victory over the Yankees on Thursday night.

Even after the Angels scored four runs in the first inning there was no doubt that the Yankees would make a game of it before the last pitch of the game.

Neither team would score over the next five innings but the Yankees scored six times in the seventh inning to take a 6-4 lead. The highlight of the Yankees comeback was the three run double by Mark Teixeira.

Angels Take Lead Again

The Angels came right back in the bottom of the frame to score three runs and take a 7-6 lead which they never relinquished.

Nick Swisher ended the game by popping up to shortstop Erick Aybar but not before a scary ending for Angels players and fans.

Fuentes Struggles With Two Out

Brian Fuentes retired Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira to start the ninth inning. Then he walked Alex Rodriguez intentionally and walked Hideki Matsui and hit Robinson Cano with a pitch loading the bases before Swisher made the final out of the game.

If the Angels win again on Saturday then C.C. Sabathia will have to pitch the seventh game of the ALCS on Sunday. If the Yankees win on Saturday Sabathia would be available to pitch the opening game of the World Series next Wednesday.

The Angels can’t pitch Scott Kazmir again in the ALCS or World Series since he has a 8.10 ERA for the postseason. Joe Saunders starts on Saturday with Jered Weaver probably starting on Sunday and if the Angels make it to the World Series they would have John Lackey available to start the opener.

Chone Figgins, Bobby Abreu and Juan Rivera are a combined 8-61 in the ALCS with two runs batted in between them.

Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher are a combined 6-40 with three runs batted in.

A.J. Burnett has posted a 5.84 ERA in the ALCS with C.C. Sabathia posting a 1.13 ERA. The most alarming stats for Burnett are that he has walked 10 and hit four batters in 18 innings of postseason pitching. When adding the 14 hits he has allowed that is 28 hitters reaching base in 18 innings.

The Angels can’t worry about Sabathia now since they have to win against Andy Pettitte on Saturday. Pettitte can become the winningest postseason pitcher in baseball history with a win on Saturday. He is  currently tied with John Smoltz with 15 wins.