October 7, 2007 at 7:44 PM
Red Sox advance to ALCS
The Boston Red Sox advanced to the ALCS with a 9-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels this afternoon in Anaheim, California. Powered by back-to-back home runs by David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, along with a vintage Curt Schilling performance, the Red Sox swept the best of 5 ALDS, holding the Angels to 4 runs in the 3 game sweep. Holding a 2-0 lead, the Red Sox busted the game wide open with a 7 run 8th inning to put an exclamation point on the ALDS. Schilling, in his first Postseason appearance since the 2004 World Series, held the Angles at bay over 7 innings giving up 6 hits and striking out 4. Hideki Okajima and Eric Gagne came on to finish off the game for the Red Sox, who advance to their 3rd ALCS in the last 5 seasons. Dustin Pedroia, Mike Lowell, and Jason Varitek paced the 7 run outburst with RBI doubles a piece. Top prospect Jacoby Ellsbury came on as a pinch runner for Ramirez scoring a run and grounding out in his only plate appearance. Next up for the Sox is either the Cleveland Indians or New York Yankees Friday night at Fenway Park. Boston's Ace Josh Beckett is set to take the mound.