Clay Buchholz and a revived Red Sox offense appeared primed to give the city of Boston at least one more day of baseball, but closer Jonathan Papelbon couldn't hang onto a late lead as the Halos stormed back to capture the series and end Boston's season.
Up 5-2 in the eighth, Papelbon came in and gave up a two-run single before the Angels plated three more in the ninth to give Anaheim its first postseason series win in five chances over Boston.
Angels 7, Red Sox 6
Fenway Park, Boston, Mass.
October 11, 2009
Headliner: Bobby Abreu ended the contest with a game-high three hits including a clutch, two-out RBI single in the ninth to extend the inning and bring the Angels within one run. The right fielder also scored a pair of runs including the eventual game-winner in the ninth.
Dirt dog: The Angels bullpen, consisting of Jason Bulger, Kevin Jepsen, Darren Oliver and Brian Fuentes held the Sox to just one run on two hits over three innings of relief.
Red Sox sluggers J.D. Drew and Dustin Pedroia each drove in two runs as Pedroia got things started with a two-run double and Drew smacked a two-run homer to straight-away center field in the losing effort.
Better luck next time: Jonathan Papelbon picked up a blown save and a loss as he allowed three earned runs — the first runs he ever allowed in the postseason — on four hits and two walks in one inning of work.
Key moment: Down to their last out, Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero smoked a two-run single in the ninth to give the Angels a 7-6 lead and, eventually, a series-sweeping win. The Halos DH ended up with a pair of hits and a walk.
On deck: The Angels are awaiting the outcome of Sunday night's Twins-Yankees contest to see who they will be taking on in the ALCS. The Yankees lead the series 2-0.
