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		Angels hold off Yanks; Phillies in driver's seat By Daniel Dullum October 19, 2009
	Philadelphia Phillies players celebrate after Carlos Ruiz (51) scored the wining run in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, in Philadelphia. The Phillies won 5-4 to take a 3-1 lead in the series. (AP Photo)
	In the Major League Baseball playoffs, the Los Angeles Angels cut into the New York Yankees lead in the American League, while Philadelphia assumed a commanding 3-1 advantage in the National League. NLCS – Phillies 5, Dodgers 4 Jimmy Rollins lined a two-out double in the ninth inning off LA closer Jonathan Broxton, driving in the winning run at Citizens Bank Park as the Fightin’ Phils are one win away from a trip to the World Series. Trailing 4-3 going into the ninth, Philadelphia started its rally with one out when pinch-hitter Matt Stairs walked on four pitches off Broxton. After Broxton hit Carlos Ruiz with a pitch, pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs was retired on a soft liner to third. Rollins then sent a 99 mph fastball to right-center. Andre Ethier’s throw was up the line, and Ruiz slid home with the game-winner. Phils closer Brad Lidge got the final two outs in the top of the ninth to get the win. Ryan Howard hit a two-run homer, giving him eight consecutive postseason games with at least one run batted in, tying a MLB record set by Lou Gehrig. Gehrig’s streak stretched over two World Series with the Yanks in 1928 and 1932, decades before divisional play. ALCS – Angels 5, Yankees 4 (11 innings) Jeff Mathis, a backup catcher who hit .211 this season, drove home Howie Kendrick with a two-out double in the bottom of the 11th, pulling Los Angeles back into the American League Championship Series. The Angels now trail New York 2-games-to-1. Kendrick, a reserve infielder, homered and tripled before he singled with two outs in the 11th off rookie Alfredo Aceves. Mathis followed with a drive off the left field wall at Angels Stadium. Vladimir Guerrero homered for Los Angeles, and the Yankees had four solo home runs from Jorge Posada, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Johnny Damon. Game four is Tuesday night, with C.C. Sabathia starting for the Bronx Bombers and ex-Tampa Bay ace Scott Kazmir going for the Halos.