G107: Angels 7, Red Sox 5

Angels  - 010 006 000 - 7  9  0
Red Sox - 000 201 011 - 5 11  0

Not much to say about this one, except that the game did not feel as close as the final score.

A two-RBI single from Manny Ramirez gave the Sox their only lead of the game in the fourth. Then Dice-K, who had retired eight batters in a row, walked Figgins to start the top of the sixth. Ten pitches later, the Angels had a 6-2 lead. Kotchman hit a two-run homer, Izturis doubled, Guerrero singled and Hunter blasted a three-run dong.

In the bottom of the sixth, Lowrie's ground-rule double to right knocked in Ortiz (LAA 7-3) and chased Weaver. Arredondo walked Varitek on four pitches, loading the bases with two outs for Ellsbury. Lyndon was the potential tying run, but he struck out.

With one out in the seventh, Youkils and Ortiz singled, but Manny grounded into an inning-ending double play. Ellsbury singled in Drew in the eighth and Manny hit a home run into the Monster Seats with two out in the ninth.

After a shaking beginning in relief of Matsuzaka, Masterson set down the last five batters he faced with ease. Hansen threw nine pitches (eight strikes) in the eighth, retiring the Angels in order.

Toronto beat Tampa 3-1 and Baltimore clubbed New York 13-4, so the top three spots in the East standings remain the same. The fourth-place Blue Jays are now only 7.5 GB.

***

Jered Weaver (4.08, 102 ERA+) / Daisuke Matsuzaka (2.63, 166 ERA+)

ALCS Preview!

Angels (64-40)     Red Sox (61-45)
Figgins, 3B        Pedroia, 2B
Kotchman, 1B       Youkilis, 1B
Izturis, SS        Ortiz, DH
Guerrero, RF       Ramirez, LF
Hunter, CF         Lowell, 3B
Anderson, LF       Drew, RF
Kendrick, 2B       Lowrie, SS
Rivera, DH         Varitek, C
Mathis, C          Ellsbury, CF

Atta way, Tito! That lineup kicks copious amounts of ass!

Elsewhere, 7 PM: Rays/Blue Jays & Orioles/Yankees