Recap: LA Angels vs. NY Yankees

By Sports Network

Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - The Angels lived to play another day and earned a trip back to the Bronx, as Kendry Morales' RBI single capped a three-run rally in the seventh and paced Los Angeles past the New York Yankees, 7-6, in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series.

The win didn't come without some trepidation, as southpaw closer Brian Fuentes intentionally walked Alex Rodriguez with two outs in the ninth then walked Hideki Matsui and hit Robinson Cano to load the bases. Nick Swisher, 3-for-28 with just one RBI in the postseason coming into the at-bat, popped up to short on 3-2 pitch to end the game.

The Yankees still lead the best-of-seven set, 3-2, with Game 6 scheduled for Saturday night in New York. The winner of the American League pennant will face the defending World Series-champion Philadelphia Phillies beginning next Wednesday. The Yankees are vying for their 40th trip to the Fall Classic, and their first visit since falling in six games to the Florida Marlins six years ago.

A game that appeared to be following a certain script took a massive detour in the top of the seventh. Angels starter John Lackey was in control of the game with a 4-0 lead until the Yankees filled the bases. Melky Cabrera doubled with one out in the seventh then Jorge Posada walked on a borderline 3-2 pitch. Deter Jeter then walked before Lackey induced a shallow fly out off the bat of Johnny Damon without a runner advancing.

Then, Angels manager Mike Scioscia made a pivotal decision.

He removed his ace for left-hander Darren Oliver to face the left-handed hitting Mark Teixeira, who wasted little time with a bases-clearing double to left-center on a hanging off-speed pitch.

Oliver then issued an intentional free pass to Rodriguez and Matsui slapped a run-scoring single to center, squaring the contest at 4-4. Oliver then gave way to Kevin Jepsen (1-0), who served up a go-ahead, two-run triple to Robinson Cano on a low-and-in slider.

Suddenly, Lackey's exit turned a four-run lead to a two-run deficit in a matter of four batters and two pitchers.

However, the Angels came right back with a three-spot to regain the edge in the seventh. Jeff Mathis singled -- his third hit of the game -- and Erick Aybar walked to set the table before Chone Figgins moved both runners up one base on a sacrifice bunt off Damaso Marte.

Bobby Abreu's slow chopper to first plated one run, ending Marte's night in favor of Phil Hughes (0-1). The right-hander walked Torii Hunter then allowed Vladimir Guerrero's single to center, scoring the tying run. Morales followed with a hot shot to right, plating Hunter for a 7-6 game.

The Angels threatened for extra insurance in the home half, but Mariano Rivera entered and worked out of a second-and-third, one-out pickle to keep the Yankees within one run.