The New York Yankees advanced to their 40th World Series by rallying with three runs in the fourth inning to beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series.
The Yankees fell behind early, but battled back in the fourth, then tacked on two more runs in the eighth to win the series 4-2 and reach their first World Series since 2003.
Pitcher Andy Pettitte earned his 16th playoff win as the Yankees turned to closer Mariano Rivera for the final six outs on Sunday and he delivered in front of a crowd of 50,171 at Yankee Stadium.
PHOTO: EPA
“We had to finish strong,” Yankees closer Mariano Rivera said. “I was thinking just get six outs and get them as quickly as possible.”
The Yankees will now try to win their 27th Major League Baseball title as they begin the World Series tomorrow at home against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The defending World Series-champion Phillies defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games in the other semi-final.
PHOTO: EPA
“It is going to be a battle. It will be a fight just like ALCS,” said Yankees pitcher C.C. Sabathia, who will start Game 1 of the World Series.
New York’s Game 6 against the Angels was postponed from Saturday because of poor weather.
Yankees starting pitcher Pettitte finished with six strikeouts and just one walk, while his teammates chased Angels pitcher Joe Saunders from the game in the fourth inning.
Pettitte (2-0) allowed just one run on seven hits in six-and-a-third innings. The veteran left-hander became the pitcher with most wins in playoff history, earning his 16th to break a tie with John Smoltz.
Rivera converted a six-out save to preserved the win, as the Yankees added on two runs in the eighth inning.
“We got a great team and a lot of our guys have never had the chance to be here,” Yankees catcher Jorge Posada said.
Johnny Damon had two hits, including a bases-loaded, two-run single in the fourth inning.
Alex Rodriguez also had two hits, but it was his bases-loaded walk in the fourth that provided the eventual game-winning run for New York.
The Yankees’ veteran lineup includes plenty of post-season experience, but this will be the first World Series for Rodriguez.
“I feel like a 10-year-old kid again,” Rodriguez said. “I couldn’t be more excited. Ever since I was a five-year-old, this has been my dream.”
Vladimir Guerrero collected three hits for the Angels, who stayed alive with a win in Game 5 on Thursday, but couldn’t muster the magic to force a Game 7.
“We have to keep our heads up and get better,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “They earned it, but we have to get better. We shot ourselves in the foot a couple of games in this series and if you make mistakes they are going to let you know. This is a special group of guys and right now they are taking it hard. I can’t forget the great things they have accomplished and as much as they have been through.”
Tomorrow’s game will be a match-up between former Cleveland teammates, as Cliff Lee, who won last year’s Cy Young, gets the start for the Phillies, while Sabathia, another left-hander, pitches for the Yankees. Sabathia won the Cy Young in 2007.
“This team has been great all year and hopefully we will play one more great series,” Yankees infielder Derek Jeter said.
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