Rattler Alumni Report: MLB Playoffs October 11, 2009

Los Angeles (AL):
Brian Fuentes ('97): IP, 0H, 0R, SAVE

There is trying to wake up the echoes. Then, there is messing with karma...

Brian Fuentes, whose shaky second half stirred concerns about the playoff worthiness of the bullpen, threw a 1-2-3 ninth to complete a three-game sweep of the team that eliminated the Angels from the 1986, 2004, 2007 and 2008 playoffs.

"To beat one of the best closers in the game on their field after being down two runs in the ninth . . . it's unbelievable," Figgins said amid a wild clubhouse celebration. "This is stuff you dream about."

The Red Sox wanted the Angels to relive a nightmare.

Down 0-2 in the series, Boston carted out Dave Henderson to throw out Sunday's ceremonial first pitch. It was Henderson who hit the dramatic ninth-inning, two-run homer against Donnie Moore and the one-strike-away Angels in Game 5 of the 1986 American League Championship Series.

"That was terrible," Angels center fielder Torii Hunter said. "I love Dave Henderson, but looking at that, I'm like, 'What are they trying to say?' They probably shouldn't have brought him out. It was bad luck, I guess."

In an ironic twist, the Angels, who will open the ALCS on Friday night against the Yankees in New York, beat the Red Sox on Sunday by the same 7-6 score by which Boston won that Game 5 in 1986 in Anaheim.

Boston:
David Ortiz ('96): 1-for-4

New York (AL):
Alex Rodriguez (Foxes, '94): 1-for-3, 2 RUNS, RBI, HR

Alex Rodriguez wrapped his dock rope of a left arm around Derek Jeter's neck and let out a howl right before the best player in pinstripes showered the smartest in champagne.(Ed note...Seriously?)

A 4-1 victory over the pesky Twins in Game 3 of the ALDS had propelled the Yankees into the ALCS that starts Friday night in The Bronx against the Angels.

Shortly after the sweep, bedlam broke out in the clubhouse, which is barely bigger than a suburban two-car garage. Though some Yankees fans believe it's their birth right to win the World Series every year, the players understand the difficulty of winning and advancing.

Philadelphia:
Raul Ibanez (Foxes, '94): 0-for-2, RUN, RBI, 3 BBs
Greg Dobbs ('02): pinch hitter, 0-for-1

The game contained many themes, including redemption for Lidge and injustice for the Rockies, but the four-hour, six-minute affair was defined by frigid conditions. The temperature was 34.5 degrees at first pitch, and it dropped as the night progressed. That at least matched the record for coldest-ever postseason game. Game 4 of the 1997 World Series, played in Cleveland between the Indians and Florida Marlins, was 35 degrees (Phils manager Charlie Manuel was the Cleveland hitting coach that night).