Schilling, Red Sox Cruise Into ALCS

For those who believe in omens, Boston's World Series championship run in 2004 also began with a three-game sweep over the Angels.

Photo courtesy: Boston Red Sox

ANAHEIM - Unlike the last time he stepped on the mound in October, Curt Schilling didn't have a blood-stained sock as proof for his will to win.

He didn't need it either.

The evidence was all in the way Schilling completely carved up the overmatched Angels on Sunday afternoon and pitched the rolling Red Sox right into the American League Championship Series for a matchup with either the Indians or Yankees that will open on Friday at Fenway Park.

Though more of a control specialist at the age of 40, Schilling was still at his vintage best in lifting the Red Sox to a 9-1 victory that closed out the Angels with a three-game sweep in this AL Division Series.

As it turns out, all the offense the Red Sox needed came in the top of the fourth inning, when the lethal 3-4 combo of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez led off with back-to-back homers against Jered Weaver.

From there, Schilling was on center stage.

He held the Angels to six hits and no runs over seven innings, walking one and striking out four. In 16 career postseason starts, Schilling is 9-2 with a 1.93 ERA.

For those who believe in omens, Boston's World Series championship run in 2004 also began with a three-game sweep over the Angels.

In a tightly contested duel, the pitchers were the story. Weaver took a tough-luck loss, giving up four hits and two runs over five-plus innings.

The Angels had a good crack at it against Schilling in the third. With two on and two outs, Vladimir Guerrero walked to load the bases.

But Schilling got the out he needed, inducing Reggie Willits -- who had entered the game in place of the injured Garret Anderson -- into a foul pop that Jason Varitek hustled to get to.

The missed opportunity by the Angels quickly became more painful. Ortiz led off the Boston fourth with a towering solo homer to right.

Ramirez followed by pummeling a long ball onto the rocks in center field.

It was Ramirez's 22nd homer in postseason play, tying him with Bernie Williams for the all-time lead.

It was the ninth time Ortiz and Ramirez have gone back-to-back since becoming teammates in 2003, and the second such instance in the postseason.

Schilling had one last jam to deal with in the bottom of the seventh, as the Angels, following a leadoff double by Maicer Izturis, had a runner on third with one out.

Again, Schilling came through, getting Juan Rivera on a popup to first and striking out Mike Napoli.

The Red Sox broke it wide open in the eighth, as they sent 10 batters to the plate and came away with seven additional runs.

Story by: Ian Browne

Courtesy: MLB.com

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