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Big League Stew

Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:05 am EDT

Guerrero, Angels extend season; Yankees fail again in the clinch

By David Brown

Score and situation: Angels 7, Yankees 6  New York leads series, 3-2

Leading lads: Vladimir Guerrero(notes) went 2-for-11 with four strikeouts in the first two games of the ALCS, but he hit a tying homer in the Angels' comeback victory in Game 3 and continued to produce on Thursday. After the Yankees rallied in the top of the seventh, Guerrero's two-out single to center against Phil Hughes(notes) tied the score 6-all. One batter later, Kendry Morales(notes) put the Angels ahead to stay. Guerrero's been coming through ever since 'Duk ripped him for being unproductive after he praised Guerrero for providing the best playoff moment so far, in the ALDS clincher against the Red Sox.

Honorable mention goes to John Lackey(notes) for telling Mike Scioscia to buzz off when the manager came with the hook in the seventh and the Angels leading 4-0. Actually, Lackey said, "You're [kidding] me, [Scioscia], this is mine!" Scioscia took him out anyway because it was the second visit to the mound in the inning.

Head hangers: Yanks manager Joe Girardi has had better series. He squeezed five solid innings out of A.J. Burnett(notes). The first inning was terrible and the last inning began with a single and walk to start the Angels final rally. Why didn't Joe go to the pen to start the frame? First Girardi takes out pitchers too soon, then too often, now too early. Maybe we should cut Joe G. a break? No, maybe he should give us the break!

Also, Brian Fuentes(notes) got the save, but he made everyone (including 0-for-5 Nick Swisher) sweat way too much for it. A 1-2-3 inning works too, you know?

Key play: Other than Guerrero's tying single, it's the offense Los Anaheim got from backup catcher Jeff Mathis(notes) (3-for-4, run scored), especially his leadoff single in the seventh. His averages are so bad, I'm afraid to tell you how low they are. Ready? His career OPS is .597. He's got a .277 on-base percentage. He's a .200 hitter. But he's hitting now, like in Game 3.

Key stat: Stats LLC and Boston Red Sox fans report the Yankees have lost their past five ALCS games with the chance to clinch a spot in the World Series.

What they're talking about: With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, a presumably intoxicated goofball went for a swim in the rocky, watery, prehistoric life-sized diorama Angel Stadium sports in center field. At the time, the score was 4-0 Angels. Nothing special going on. But the interlude was sign of goofy things to come.

What they're saying:

"I'm not completely there yet. ... I felt like I still had a lot left." — John Lackey, after the game, on whether he had calmed down.

What's next: Back to the Bronx for Game 6 on Saturday night. Angels lefty Joe Saunders(notes) against Andy Pettitte(notes). If the Yankees need Game 7, they can turn to CC Sabathia(notes). Not sure about the Angels, who used Jered Weaver(notes) for the eighth inning Thursday night.

Related: 2009 postseason on the Stew, 2009 ALCS — Angels v. Yankees

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40 Comments

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  1. samsosha02
    1. Posted by samsosha02 Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:23 am EDT

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    here we go again.
    there will be game 7 and we will see angels-phillis series.
  2. true2
    2. Posted by true2 Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:24 am EDT

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    Girardi again cant handle his pitchers and they fall apart. I just hope this is not a repeat of 2004.... There is something wrong with Managers named Joe....
  3. 3for5spotshooter
    3. Posted by 3for5spotshooter Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:27 am EDT

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    Bad for the Yankees to extend this one - This could have cost them the Series - IF they get there.
  4. Nico
    4. Posted by Nico Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:27 am EDT

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    I expected Robertson at the bottom of the 7th and then Gaudin and if needed Hughes then Coke.
  5. Chris
    5. Posted by Chris Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:35 am EDT

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    Yanks lose 2 games and their fans are already gearing up to jump ship. Swish has some troubling at bats and they want to throw him into the Hudson. Girardi makes a few bad calls and they want to send him back to Florida. True fans, my @ss. Go Halos! Win or lose, at least the majority of your fans aren't bandwagoners.
  6. dur.T.sanchez
    6. Posted by dur.T.sanchez Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:47 am EDT

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    i totally forgot about that drunken clown.lol
  7. gdwyn,NJ
    7. Posted by gdwyn,NJ Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:47 am EDT

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    Mr.Girardi,you f----ed up big time tonight by leaving AJ Burnett after the Yankees got the lead. Wake up Yanks,that pitcher AJ Burnett hates the Yankees. That's why he doesn't want Posada to catch for him because Posada knows the game. Also that pie slopping that he started for whoever do a good thing for the Yankees, because he hates the Yankees. I don't think it's funny at all. After tonight's game, Yankees doesn't deserve to win. Sorry Yankees....
  8. darrylb
    8. Posted by darrylb Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:48 am EDT

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    Why was jarad weaver not in the game and the Fuentes pitching? He had failure all over his face. If this guy ever touches the mound this year it can only mean that Sciocias has lost his mind. Fuentes ass cheeks were so tight that I thought he was going to give himself a enema. What a lame ass slider. On top of that despite tonite's game, Vlad is bound to break you heart with bad ball swinging.
  9. gino609
    9. Posted by gino609 Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:52 am EDT

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    well this wasnt that big of a deal that we lost when the angels will come back to ny the yankees will dominate and were ganna go to the ws and face the phillies face it angels fans youre team is not close to tieng the series it will defantly be the yanks and phillies angels will get there asses kicked by the yankees like the phillies did to the dodgers GO YANKEES!
  10. Tommy Boy
    10. Posted by Tommy Boy Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:55 am EDT

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    Hey Yankee Nation,stop with the panic already;I'd rather see them end it at home,in front of the home crowd.You had to know that after that beatdown the other night that they would summon up everything they have left in them and pull one more out of their asses,and that AJ has been shaky at best for months.Relax, we've got this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  11. gino609
    11. Posted by gino609 Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:57 am EDT

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    angels fans dont be on youre high horses yet cause when L.A. comes back to ny we will kick there asses like the phillies did to the dodgers GO YANKEES!
  12. Chris
    12. Posted by Chris Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:01 am EDT

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    Gino609 looks like Indiana Jones. Cool dood! You "defantly" know a lot about baseball. The Yankees bandwagon just hit a big bump in the road, I hope nobody fell off.
  13. darthmala
    13. Posted by darthmala Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:13 am EDT

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    top of 9th bases loaded,2outs and you let a guy who is batting .11? A guy who was 0 for 4 tonight to hit? That's why Joe sucks.
  14. Shahryar
    14. Posted by Shahryar Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:14 am EDT

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    Gee, Gino, the New York city schools were a lot better when I went there. It was a long time ago so maybe funding got cut back.
  15. TF
    15. Posted by TF Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:16 am EDT

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    fudge yeah...GO ANGELES!
  16. gdwyn,NJ
    16. Posted by gdwyn,NJ Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:18 am EDT

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    P.S. I'm sorry Yankees but don't expect another World Series ring while AJ Burnett is pitching for your team. HE HATES the team!
  17. julinalexander
    17. Posted by julinalexander Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:28 am EDT

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    yankee fans, you know why I love you? well because as long as there are you guys, I know that there is at least a couple people dumber than me. Sure you may win the world series, sure you may have your "dynasty". Any day of the week I would rather have my twins or angels, or the phils, or even the pirates over a team who can buy their way into the playoffs. I can't wait till Selig gets his head straight and decides enough is enough and puts a real payroll cap onto teams. When your top three payed players combined get more than most clubs, its really sad. I am sorry. Also, when the yankees win, does it ever seem like the "Celebration" is really just acting. idk but something is iffy when a team expects to win. Anyway, yankees even if you do win the world series with your $200,000,000.00+ payroll. I don't care. I doubt you guys could field a team with sixty seven million like the twins, or most of baseball. If there was a calculation for "bang for buck". I am sure you guys would finish somewhere around 27th, 28th, idk.
    Anyway I have class in six hours so see yah.
    First, Go TWINS!
    And Second, Go PHILLIES!
  18. MAC
    18. Posted by MAC Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:38 am EDT

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    nah no game 7 besides i saw the game and lets face it the yankee pitchers choked and also atleast twice they pitched around A-ROD who would hav thought..angels scared of A-ROD in the playoffs..lol
  19. michaelc
    19. Posted by michaelc Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:54 am EDT

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    Scoscia about lost that game due to his constant over-managing. The pitch count BS has to end, it's ruining the game. Should have never pulled Lackey for Oliver in that spot. And then he goes with a Fuentes, yeah he was the guy all year, blah blah blah. He is horrible!!!! As soon as that stiff started walking out of the bully I was predicting a blown save, and damn if it almost happened. That douche only has the saves due to the team he's on.
  20. LetsGoTwins
    20. Posted by LetsGoTwins Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:58 am EDT

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    2004!
  21. Deliladz
    21. Posted by Deliladz Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:15 am EDT

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    No worries Yankee Fans. We are just taking it to NY to finish it off there. They got this in the bag! Come on, with a beating they gave the other night do you really have to worry. Angels had their best pitcher in the game what did you expect. They had to redeem themselves from the beating they received. But i have to give credit the angels have heart. It was a good game. A couple of mistakes on the yankees end but no worries for the next game. It will all work out in the Yankees favor.
    Feeling relaxed and ready for the next game already,
    Go Yankees!
  22. Edward M
    22. Posted by Edward M Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:22 am EDT

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    Deliladz - this is why we wont let girls involved into sports.....talk and talk there is never an ending. i hate to say this but aint working sweet heart... so search for another sport around that is more female.
    Sorry sweet heart
  23. Bravo
    23. Posted by Bravo Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:37 am EDT

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    Why are anti-yankee fans criticizing this game as if we lost the series? First of all the Angels had a commanding lead throughout most of the game and they came down crash crashing. They could not hold the lead because of an idiotic move by the manager. The Yankees came back like a winner does. This game should not impress any Angels fans because your bullpen really sucks, even with Fuentes, almost blowing the game last night AGAIN!!!! The Angels playoff game does not impress me. Not one impressive win, not ONE!!! You guys are just squeeking by. Thw World wants to see a Yankees-Phillies series, which would be more exciting. Pound for Pound the Yankees and Phillies are better and more exciting teams. The way the Angels are playing against the Yankees, The Phillies will walk all over them. But in all the Angels face the Yankees in the Bronx, best home record in baseball, and did I mention, you guys might be facing CC one more time.
    So stop this talk about New York buying their Championship. If you have the money and you were an owner... Why not buy the best players???? You so called fans are at fault if your team suck. You are the ones who dont fill the stadiums... You are the ones who put more support behind your local football team than you baseball teams. So if your owner cant afford a Texeira or CC.... It's your fault, not the Yankees.....
    GO YANKEES!!!!!!
  24. Bravo
    24. Posted by Bravo Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:46 am EDT

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    Edward M.... You are an idiot with that comment. Maybe with an attitude like that, its the reason why your team sucks over and over again. Dont be mad because she knows how to pick a winner.

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Big League Stew is an MLB blog edited by Kevin Kaduk. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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