Angels keep their season going with Game 5 victory -- latimes.com
"Man, it could be 2 degrees, snowing and hailing, and we'll play," Angels center fielder Torii Hunter said. "It's going to be wet. It's going to be soggy. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be exciting." It would be hard to imagine the Angels and Yankees packing more excitement into nine innings than they did Thursday night.
Angels rally and survive late scare to win Game 6, 7-6. - OCRegister.com
For six innings, Lackey was the Angels’ man on the wall. He cruised into the seventh inning with a 4-0 lead only to run into the kind of moment that would have haunted the Angels all winter, replacing last fall’s failed squeeze bunt as the most controversial decision of Mike Sciosica’s managerial career.
Angels rally for three in seventh, push Yankees to Game 6 - CBSSports.com
Mere moments after the Los Angeles Angels unleashed their leaping, screeching, rambunctious Rally Monkey on the scoreboard, they erased a late deficit and saved their season. Surely that monkey business was just a coincidence. He's just a marketing gimmick, a video star and a plush toy -- right?
Team Reports - CBSSports.com
Manager Mike Scioscia made one minor change to his batting order for Game 5, moving slumping LF Juan Rivera down one spot to seventh against RHP A.J. Burnett. With LHP Andy Pettitte scheduled to start Game 6, he might consider some more significant changes. "We're going to absorb this one," Scioscia said. "We'll talk as a staff and see where we're going to go."
Video highlights from last night's game:
TV, radio calls for the Halos' first frame - MLB.com
TV and radio broadcasters make the call for the Angels' four-run first inning
Lackey fans seven Yanks in 6 2/3 innings - MLB.com
John Lackey strikes out seven Yankees in 6 2/3 innings of work
Angels score three in the seventh - MLB.com
The Angels retake the lead by scoring three in the seventh inning
Weaver blanks the Yanks in the eighth - MLB.com
Potential Game 7 starter Jered Weaver pitches a scoreless eighth in relief, striking out two
TV, radio calls for final out - MLB.com
TV and radio calls for the final out of Game 5 between the Yankees and Angels
Halos hold on to send it back to the Bronx - MLB.com
Daily Recap: The Halos, who rallied for a three-run seventh, kept their season going by beating the Yanks in Game 5 of the ALCS
Game 5 Highlights and interviews - MLB.com
After Thrill of Angels’ Game 5 Victory, a Rush of Relief - NYTimes.com
"I’ve got a headache," said Torii Hunter, who came off the field after the Yankees scored six runs in the seventh inning and slammed his glove in the dugout. "I got gray hair, if I let my hair grow out." Of course, Hunter wore a huge smile, too, one that was shared around the clubhouse.
Angels, Brian Fuentes survive adventurous ninth - Joe Posnanski - SI.com
The Yankees' first three hitters in the inning were Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez -- and yes, just those three hitters made a combined $65 million this year, more than six teams in the big leagues.
Angels' rally gives them second life - CBSSports.com
The night was already overstuffed with raw nerves and jangly emotions. And Angels manager Mike Scioscia still went ahead and replaced hot new set-up man Jered Weaver with closer Brian Fuentes to start the ninth. Why not just signal the ushers to pass out Maalox to the 45,113 screaming themselves hoarse in Angels Stadium?
Scioscia on a tightrope - Angels Unplugged - Los Angeles Times
After the Angels failed to score with another mini-rally, it was the top of the ninth, and Scioscia, needing a victory to stave off elimination, had yet another major decision.
Los Angeles Angels rescue manager from scrutiny with win in ALCS Game 5 - ESPN
But for Southern California baseball fans and Internet second-guessers, two decisions by Scioscia would have made for bountiful talk-show fodder if the Angels' season had ended Thursday. Ron Gardenhire, Terry Francona, Jim Tracy, Tony La Russa and Joe Torre are all sitting at home, but Scioscia lives to manage another day because his closer, Brian Fuentes, was slightly less of a train wreck than two of the relievers who preceded him.
Drama, strategy gaffes frame Game 5's wild inning - Stan McNeal - MLB - Sporting News
In the inning, every player but one in both lineups went to bat. The Yankees' Nick Swisher batted twice, and made two outs. At least one glove was thrown in the Angels' dugout ("I was (upset)," Torii Hunter said. At least one pitcher (John Lackey) lost his cool. Four pitching changes were made, one too early and one not early enough.
Angels refuse to go into that good night with 7-6 win - USATODAY.com
Still, in a postseason where every series has been a rout, this one now has a clear whiff of uncertainty. "Anything's possible," Hunter said. "We're grinders. That's what we do." Thursday was the kind of victory that can make a team believe. If the Angels win Game 6, it'll be a tense Sunday in the Bronx.
Opinion: Wild 7th inning is 45 minutes of high drama - nbcsports.msnbc.com
"Nine runs in one inning. That doesn't happen in the postseason," said Angels reliever Kevin Jepsen, who gave up a two-run triple to Robinson Cano that allowed the Yankees to take a two-run lead after they began the inning trailing 4-0.
Saunders heads to Bronx with momentum - angelsbaseball.com
"Well, they are the favorites," Saunders said. "But after this [Game 5 win], we've obviously got a lot of confidence, a lot of momentum. We're going to be ready to play. It's going to be the usual Yankee hostile environment. They're going to be all over us. It's going to be a good battle."
Fack Youk Exclusive: A Conspiracy
As you may be aware, Fack Youk has been involved in a bit of a blogowar with a certain Angels' blog whom I refuse to name or link to any longer given the sheer amount of garbage they've spewed over the past week.
This is a pretty good Yankee's blog which, although they're not too impressed with Halos Heaven, I encourage you to visit.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Frank McCourt fires wife Jamie as CEO - SI.com
"Jamie was disappointed and saddened by her termination," Jamie McCourt's lawyer Dennis Wasser said. "As co-owner of the Dodgers, she will address this and all other issues in the court room."
This is going to get UGLY!
October 23 - BR Bullpen
Events, births and deaths that occurred on October 23.
Happy birthday to 2009 ALCS Game Five Should-Have-Been-Winner: 1978 - John Lackey, pitcher; All-Star
0 recs | 65 comments
I'm not gonna play "Woulda shoulda coulda."
I’m just SO happy they won!
Monkeyspanked - October 23, 2009
The thing is, if Weaver pitches ONE inning, he's on track to pitch game 7 normally on pretty normal rest.
If he pitches two innings, who knows how WTY will respond in a potential game 7?
There were no easy choices for Scioscia in this ballgame, but we won, we won and we’re going to New York, and I will not call out my manager here when I still have the chance to win it all. So I’m opting out of the poll.
AlanFalcon - October 23, 2009
I'm saying No but...
Not because of Fuentes but because I think Weaver is going to be needed again before this series is over.
angelsfan777 - October 23, 2009
No.
Weaver for 7.
Fuentes needs to do his job.
clover_black - October 23, 2009
why not Santana for G7?
)Ank stadium is a flyball pitchers nightmare. He gave up 3 solo Homeruns. Imagine that in NY?
HALO_86 - October 23, 2009 via mobile
I'm not sold
Voodoo had pretty good road numbers, but if he’s missing up in the zone (which is very possible) he will get lit up in Yankee Stadium.
halofan4life - October 23, 2009
Weav is our number 2.
- He looked lights out yesterday.
- Cold wet weather + wind is going to keep the ball down (see first two games).
- Nick Adenhart + Weaver = Lets go to the world fucking series.
clover_black - October 23, 2009
+1
halofan4life - October 23, 2009
The real question should be...
Do you agree with intentionally walking A-Rod with nobody on base and two outs in the 9th?
MajorAppleFlight - October 23, 2009
Yes.
No brainer.
People were crying about NOT walking him with ZERO outs when he blasted a Fuentes fast (slow) ball.
clover_black - October 23, 2009
Si !
Dono Romantico - October 23, 2009
I didn't it was such a no-brainer
Not to sound cliche, but they’re playing a game where the best hitters fail 70% of the time. I’d take my chances. A-Rod has been a beast, but at some point you need to trust your closer, right? In a worse-case scenario it’s a tie game, instead you voluntarily put that tying run on-base and put your closer in a tougher position. I’d take my chances pitching to A-Rod, after all, it’s not like the Yankee line up after him is a cakewalk…
MajorAppleFlight - October 23, 2009
It WAS a no-brainer.
You don’t go with a statistic saying that 70% of the time hitters fail, you go with the statistic that A-Fraud DID tie the game against Fuentes in this kind of situation already, you go with the statistic that we DID try walking him before and that worked well. A-Cheater has been a force for the Yankees this year, tying a game in Minnesota with a two out two run home run in the ninth inning in addition to the Fuentes game tying home run and all the other big hits this year. Now PLEASE, can nobody try to make this argument again? It’s killing me having to say positive things about A-Roid.
AlanFalcon - October 23, 2009
of course
I think he has hit over 70 Hr’s against the Angels including post season.
Why would you pitch to him.
RedAces - October 23, 2009
Yes. No need to take a chance.
opiejeanne - October 23, 2009
Damn, watching ESPN you would think the Angels just lost a heartbreaker and are headed back to Yankee stadium
down 3-1 instead of the “overly dramatic” win we had last night. This series is going to a game 7 and the Halos are now back in the Yankees heads. GAME 6 first, and don’t think the Halos don’t know that. We are witnessing something very special here. B E L I E V E
Dono Romantico - October 23, 2009
Who cares what ESPN beleives?
AlanFalcon - October 23, 2009
Oh.....the Monkey earned a few extra bananas for last night's effort
Dono Romantico - October 23, 2009
LOL
the clips were hilarious last night.
SCHalo - October 23, 2009
What were they?
Clutch - October 23, 2009
Video footage of a beast..
http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7088257
Sign Lackey!
3rd Echelon - October 23, 2009
LOL Frank fired his WIFE?
seriously?
HAHA
norcaliangelsfan - October 23, 2009
yeah this is ball four all right
Fred Fredrix - October 23, 2009
just cause it's unhittable doesn't make it a ball
Big Bad, 'Vlad'! - October 23, 2009
Watch the replay jackass.
Pitch trax puts the ball right on the low inside corner for a …. wait for it … STRIKE!
halofan4life - October 23, 2009
I think you misunderstood his comment.
snowhor - October 23, 2009
Probably
I just turned on my sarcasm detector and it went crazy. My apologies to Fred.
halofan4life - October 23, 2009
Oh... a sarcasm detector... that's a *REAL* useful inention....
red floyd - October 23, 2009
It's only useful when commenting here.
But, since I’m here most of the time it’s been worth the money : )
halofan4life - October 23, 2009
i love that episode
RexTookMyStash - October 23, 2009
John was raging pissed
And I can’t say I blame him. To make that good of a pitch in that spot and have it called a ball…I’m surprised he didn’t job into the locker room and grab a shotgun.
If that pitch is called a strike, the Angels win 7 – 0.
Gorbachav5 - October 23, 2009
I think I heard from the NYY camp that if sat is a rain out
then CC will pitch GM 6
RedAces - October 23, 2009
our hitters better be a little more responsive after seeing him twice already
trojanangelfan - October 23, 2009
We are so due against him. He can't shut us down again.
Big Bad, 'Vlad'! - October 23, 2009
it think we started to see the ball a bit better the last time we faced him but just kept hitting it at people.
RedAces - October 23, 2009
We hit a lot of line drives right at guys in game 4
Gorbachav5 - October 23, 2009
Too bad Weaver can't be a starter AND our go to setup guy.
That is two years in a row out of the bullpen in the clutch.
Big Bad, 'Vlad'! - October 23, 2009
he just might
i don’t think Sosh trust him to start out in NY. I think thats why Rex and Terry are alluding to Ervin starting GM 7
RedAces - October 23, 2009
no disrespect to Weaver
But he did give up 3 Homeruns right? I hope Santana does get his shot. Maybe Weaver will be better in 1-2 inning performances in NYM
HALO_86 - October 23, 2009 via mobile
Solo shots on a day when the ball was carrying.
At least two of them were complete bombs, but I still think that the Yankees were all swinging for the fences because of the weather conditions. I watched them take BP and it seemed like every other pitch went way out. I expect their approach would be different in a frigid Yankees Stadium, but then what do I know?
AlanFalcon - October 23, 2009
Stop talking about Game 7!
As of right now it doesn’t exist, one game at a time people!
trojanangelfan - October 23, 2009 via mobile
trojanangelfan has the right idea..
First focus on game 6, that should be the only priority right now.
halofolife - October 23, 2009
Well...
to tell you the truth the players should be focused on game 7. We dont go out on the field and play. We are fans, we need to talk about all the possibilities including game 7.
SenorChuckles - October 23, 2009
One game at time is the way they did it yesterday, the way they did it in 2002, the way they should do it now?
Why get hopped up worrying about a game that may or may not happen when you’ve got enough to worry about with the game that’s in front of you RIGHT NOW?
Clutch - October 23, 2009
I mean
the players should be focused on game 6. We can talk about game 7 and all its glory.
SenorChuckles - October 24, 2009
Oh sure, I suppose.
Clutch - October 24, 2009
Thank you!!
Clutch - October 23, 2009
Just realized the title of this Halolinks...
So does that mean that Figgy sings, “Well you can tell by the way I use my walk…”
red floyd - October 23, 2009
I was not that impressed with Fack Youk but maybe because of that one article.
All the Yankee fan blogs seem incredibly jealous that “spitgate” was taken seriously by MLB and the quick attention they gave this controversy. They only wish they had thought of it first.
44FAN - October 23, 2009
Am I a horrible Halos fan for turning the game off after they went up 6-4?
RexTookMyStash - October 23, 2009
Nah
It was a pleasant surprise to see them come back.
When NYY went up, I started thinkin about that OAK – LAA game two weeks before the season ended where LAA gave up a 8 (?) lead. Did not want to watch anymore but stuck around anyway
Vlad Dracul - October 23, 2009
Actually, yes
It’s this kind of thinking that earns us Angels fans the reputation for leaving games early to beat the traffic.
I was pissed when it happened too, but if this was going to be the last game of the season, I was going to see it through.
Gorbachav5 - October 23, 2009
I'm going with Vlad's no on this
so there!
RexTookMyStash - October 23, 2009
Having attended the game...
nobody left their seats. The feeling in the stadium turned to disappointment, but we still held fast to our seats. This year, anything is possible.
Downing Rules - October 23, 2009
A woman stopped me today when she saw my Willits 77 t-shirt and asked if I had watched the whole game.
Puzzled, I said I had and she told me that she turned it off before the bottom of the 7th. She said that she turned it back on in the 9th, saw that Fuentes was pitching and turned it back off.
So she not only missed seeing those three runs in the bottom of the 7th, she missed Weaver’s brilliant 8th inning appearance. Turning off an Angels game, especially during the 7th inning, is a major mistake. IIRC, they didn’t have the lead until the 7th inning in a lot of games this season, and those late innings were really exciting.
opiejeanne - October 23, 2009
She was saving herself from cardiac arrest.
halofan4life - October 24, 2009
She was too young to be worrying about that.
Besides, she would have gotten a sustained workout if she’d stayed with the game.
opiejeanne - October 25, 2009
Yeah kinda
linkbruin - October 23, 2009
You missed a lot of excitement that way.
opiejeanne - October 23, 2009
Forecast for Saturday
Looks pretty grim. It won’t be as cold, but it’s supposed to rain harder over a shorter period of time.
On a more positive note, the wind is supposed to be blowing in from left-field, which will hopefully knock down some of those Yankee flyballs. But the way the wind gusts through that stadium, you never know.
Suboptimal - October 23, 2009
Hey guys...Do you see the Angels resigning Lackey? Just curious with what you all think.
And it was a fantastic game last night…A very gritty and gutty performance…Showed a lot…
Yankees23 - October 23, 2009
I think its too early to tell.
Lackey wants big money and an even bigger offense behind him. There is only a few teams that can give him that.
SenorChuckles - October 23, 2009
I think there's really 4 or 5 teams that have the ability to give him the kind of money he'd be asking for
So any of Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Mets, Angels, Dodgers, Phillies. I don’t think any other team would pony up. And this is a purely financial standpoint with zero roster evaluation.
linkbruin - October 23, 2009
Angels need to resign him
But I suspect they won’t.
mustard_man - October 24, 2009
Happy Birthday, Big John!
You certainly deserve it after last night…
Clutch - October 23, 2009
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