Tom Krasovic Posts

Forgive Wally Joyner if he's nervous as the Angels attempt to close out the Boston Red Sox on Sunday in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.

The last time the Angels were in this position against Boston -- ahead by two games entering Game 5 of the League Championship Series in 1986 -- the Red Sox dealt a blow so painful that ailing Angels fans and Joyner needed a hit of morphine.

Joyner was a rookie first baseman who'd batted .290 with 22 home runs and 100 RBI. Across the first three games of the 1986 ALCS, he'd gone 5-for-11 with two doubles and a home run.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- It's too soon, America.

Too soon to thank baseball's Angels from the City of Angels. Too soon to assume they can answer our prayers.

The Red Sox are down but not out, which means we still might have Yankees-Red Sox and the bloated East Coast ego and hype that comes with it.

"We're not dead," Boston's Dustin Pedroia reminded everyone Friday night after the Angels faxed in another victory at Anaheim Stadium, 4-1, to go ahead 2-0 in the best-of-five American League Division Series.

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ANAHEIM -- Torii Hunter said he inferred no ill intent from the Red Sox for hitting him in the left arm Thursday night, one at-bat after he pounded a three-run home run and flipped his bat. So, unless Hunter is a great fibber, don't expect the Angels to retaliate Friday in Game 2 of the best-of-five series.

"I don't think [Ramon] Ramirez hit me intentionally," Hunter said. "That's why I didn't react."

After he was hit, Hunter bent over to remove his shin guard and Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez rushed to him. "Victor said [Ramirez] didn't do it on purpose," Hunter said. "I said, 'I know.' I'm pretty sure it wasn't intentional. If he hit me on purpose, that is stupid, because you don't want to put men on base."

The plunking contributed to a seventh-inning surge that added two runs, raising Boston's deficit to 5-0.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- What did Torii Hunter mean when he said last month the Angels needed to "show nuts" against the Red Sox?

He gave a glimpse on Thursday night, socking a fastball from Jon Lester onto a rock pile 430 feet away for three runs in the fifth inning, and propelling the Angels, finally out from under Boston's thumb, to a 5-0 victory in Game 1 of the best-of-five American League Division Series.

"That's what I'm talking about," Hunter screamed as he ran toward first base.

"Do what you do," he hollered as he ran to the dugout.

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