Going into the ALCS game 3, the Yankees had a two game lead in the series. The Yankees only needed to win two more games and they would be back playing in the World Series. Something they have not done since 2003.
The Angels had different plans. They were back on their home field for game 3 and wanted to give the Angels fans something to cheer about.
For the first part of the game, the Angels fans had nothing to cheer about. In the first inning, Derek Jeter smacked the third pitch over the left field wall to give the Yankees a one run lead. This was Jeter's 20th postseason home run bringing him within two of second place for all-time postseason home run leaders. Read about that more here.
The score stayed 1-0 Yankees till Alex Rodriguez stepped up to the plate in the fourth inning. A-Rod gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead with a hit that truly was "outta here."
Things continued to look dismal for the Angels when Johnny Damon added yet another run to the Yankees total in the fifth inning. Damon's home run made the score 3-0.
The Angels sparked back to life in the bottom of the fifth inning. Howard Kendrick continued the home run exhibition, but this time it was one for the Angels. The teams headed into the sixth inning with the Yankees now up 3-1.
The Angels held the Yankees scoreless in the sixth, but added to their score to tie the game 3-3. Bobby Abreu has had a terrible series hitting against the Yankees so far. Abreu changed that in the sixth.
Abreu singled for his first hit against the Yankees in the series. Abreu was able to score when Viadimir Guerrero homered.
During the seventh inning, the Angels took their first lead of the ballgame. Kendrick made it to third base on a triple. He later scored when Maicer Iztruris hit a sacrifice fly to right field. This gave the Angels a 4-3 lead going into the eighth inning.
Jorge Posada hit another home run for the Yankees to tie the score 4-4. Then in the bottom of the eighth, the Angels missed out on their first chance to win the game.
Abreu managed to get another hit in the game. This time the ball went all the way to the right-center fence. Abreu easily made it to second and he should have had a double. This would have put him into scoring position.
Instead, Abreu ignored the third base coach's stop signal and rounded second base to head to third. Before making it to third he decided to go back to second where he was tagged out.
At the end of regulation play in the ninth inning, the score was still tied 4-4. It would be another exciting extra inning game for the Yankees and Angels in game 3.
The Angels missed another opportunity to win the game in the 10th inning. They loaded the bases with only one out, but two ground outs later and the Yankees were still alive.
During the 11th inning, the Yankees still could not score. This time the Angels did not let a third chance to win the game slip away.
Kendrick got on base with a single. He then scored off Jeff Mathis' double to win the Yankees Angels game 3 for the Angels 5-4. The Angels will try to tie the series up with game 4 on Tuesday. Who knows how many innings it will take to decide that game.
Written by Denise Clay
Hickory, NC
Exclusive to HULIQ
Posted October 20th, 2009 by Denise Clay
