Jeff Mathis hit a two-out double in the 11th inning to drive home the winning run, and the Los Angeles Angels survived a second consecutive thriller for a 5-4 victory over the Yankees today, trimming New York's lead in the American League championship series to 2-1. Howie Kendrick homered, tripled and then singled with two out in the 11th. Mathis followed with his drive up against the left-field wall, and Kendrick slid home well ahead of a desperate throw.
Mathis, the Angels' backup catcher, came up with his third late-inning, extra-base hit of this crazy series. Vladimir Guerrero also homered as the Angels overcame a midgame 3-0 deficit and four solo homers by the Yankees' stars, including Jorge Posada's tying solo shot in the eighth. (More New York Yankees stories.)