Angels OF Vladimir Guererro went 1-7 in Game 2 of the ALCS, including striking out with the bases loaded in the 7th inning

A Maicer Izturis throwing error in the bottom of the 13th inning ended the 5 hour and 10 minute playoff game between the Yankees and Angels. After trailing 2-0, the Angels scored two runs and sent the game into extra innings. The Angels only lead of the game, and series, was short lived in the 11th inning. A Chone Figgins RBI single gave LA a 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the 11th with closer Brian Fuentes on to finish the job. The first batter Fuentes faced was Alex Rodriguez, and A-Rod continued his excellent postseason by hitting a HR just over the right field wall to tie the game. The homerun for A-Rod was his 3rd tying HR in a postseason game from the 7th inning or later, an MLB record. It remained scoreless until Izturis made a throwing error that allowed Jerry Hairston Jr. to score the winning run. The Yankees lead the majors with 15 walk-off victories and have added two in the playoffs.

Both starters pitched good enough to win this game. Saunders went 7 innings, allowed two runs, striking out five hitters. Burnett pitched into the 7th gave up two runs on three hits. Both bullpens were used extensively; in fact, Yankees manager Joe Girardi used seven relievers, including Mariano Rivera for 2 1/3 innings. For Rivera that was his longest outing since May 30th, 2006. Conversely, Mike Scoscia used four relievers. Fuentes Blown Save in the bottom of the 11th was the eighth blown save in 17 opportunities for all closers in the 2009 postseason.

This game had plenty of chances for either team to win this game, as is usually the case in extra inning games. The biggest disappointment for the Angels was Vlad Guerrero. Vlad went 1-7 with 2 K’s, but more importantly, he left eight  players on base. The Angels stranded 16 runners and went 3-15 with RISP. For the Yanks, Mark Teixeira went 0-5 and is now 1-10 in the first two games of this series.

Derek Jeter went deep in the 3rd inning, and it was his 19th career postseason home run, passing Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson for third on the all-time postseason homer list. Jeter is now behind Bernie Williams (22) and Manny Ramirez (29) .

Also, with all the storylines coming into this series about the Angels outrunning the Yankees, LA has only attempted and stolen one base in the first two games.

Bad news for the Angels, the Yankees are 14-3 in seven game series when they win the first two games.