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Lackey hopes to end woes at Fenway

Oct 6, 2008 - 5:14 PM LA Angels at Boston 8:37 p.m. EDT American League Division Series Red Sox lead 2-1

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim finally beat the Boston Red Sox in the postseason. Now, John Lackey has to solve his nemesis if the Angels are going to avoid elimination for a second straight day.

Lackey takes the mound on Monday looking to exorcise his Fenway Park demons as the Angels face the Red Sox in Game Four of the American League Division Series.

Mike Napoli hit two homers and Erick Aybar singled home the winning run in the 12th inning as the Angels staved off elimination with a 5-4 victory on Sunday - their first postseason win over Boston in 12 tries. If necessary, Game Five will be on Wednesday in Anaheim.

"It feels great," Napoli said. "It got us back in the ball game and you know, kept us in the game. It's all we can ask for. We got some big hits tonight and we came away with a victory tonight."

"We executed well," Scioscia said. "Nap had a couple of big hits for us, he caught a great game and we came away with the win. I feel good we played better. I think if we keep playing well, we're going to be fine."

Both teams enter with depleted bullpens after a game that lasted five hours and 19 minutes, which is the longest contest in the history of ALDS play. However, the Angels' bullpen may not get much relief from Lackey.

Anaheim's ace is just 2-4 with a 6.34 ERA in eight games at Fenway Park. His career numbers vs. the Red Sox aren't pretty either. Lackey, who allowed two runs and four hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 4-1 loss in Game One on Wednesday, is 3-6 with a 5.54 ERA in 13 games against Boston.

The good news for Lackey and the Angels is that he flirted with a no-hitter in July during his last start at Fenway.

"John pitched a terrific ballgame and certainly gave us a chance to win," Scioscia said after Lackey's Game One loss. "He didn't make many bad pitches tonight."

Lackey will be opposed by Boston's Game One starter Jon Lester. The lefthander allowed one run and six hits in seven innings in the win. Lester, who went 16-6 in the regular season, got the start because ace Josh Beckett strained his oblique.

"Early he established his fastball in," Francona said. "Once we got the lead, he really went after 'em. He came with a vengeance and struck out the side."