INQUIRER Sports

LOS ANGELES – Jeff Mathis smacked a two-out double in the 11th inning to plate the winning run for Los Angeles Monday as the Angels narrowed the gap on the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series.

The Angels won 5-4 to close to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series that will send the winners to the World Series.

After Ervin Santana pitched a perfect top of the 11th, David Robertson recorded two quick outs in the bottom half before Yankees manager Joe Girardi sent in reliever Alfredo Aceves.

Howie Kendrick, who had a home run and a triple, singled up the middle off Aceves. Mathis then drove a fastball to deep left that was out of the reach of Jerry Hairston Jr. and Kendrick crossed home ahead of a throw.

Vladimir Guerrero also homered as the Angels rallied from a 3-0 deficit.

The Yankees couldn't get the victory despite four solo homers from their marquee players, including an eighth-inning shot from Jorge Posada that knotted the score at 4-4.

Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Johnny Damon also homered for New York.

The Angels will try to level the series here on Tuesday, when they send Scott Kazmir to the mound and the Yankees give the ball to ace CC Sabathia, who will throw on three days' rest.