Anaheim, CA (My Sportsbook) - The Anaheim Angels have an opportunity to advance to the World Series for the first time in franchise history when they play Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Minnesota Twins today at Edison Field.

Anaheim rallied late in the game to claim Saturday's contest and open a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven set. In what started as a classic pitcher's duel, Bengie Molina's two-run triple capped a five-run eighth inning as the Angels pounded out a 7-1 victory. Brad Fullmer added a two-run double in the eighth.

The last time the Angels held a 3-1 lead in the ALCS was 1986 against the Boston Red Sox. The Angels were one strike away from clinching that series in Game 5, but wound up losing in extra innings before dropping the final two games of the set. Anaheim has been in three ALCS in franchise history, but never survived to play in the World Series.

"We're well aware this series is not nailed down until you get four wins. By no means is it over. By no means are we changing our approach that we had all year," said Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia.

John Lackey (1-0) pitched seven stellar innings for the win. The 23-year-old rookie righthander yielded just three hits, while striking out seven and walking none. Lackey retired 12 in a row at one point and never allowed a Twins' runner to second base in his first-ever post-season start.

"For a youngster who was in the minor leagues 3 1/2 months ago to come up and do that was incredible," Scioscia said. "John was about as on tonight as you could be."

Brad Radke (2-1) was dealt the loss despite allowing two runs on just five hits in 6 2/3 innings. Radke, who won two games in the ALDS against Oakland, struck out four and walked one in the loss.

"I thought Brad Radke was outstanding. I think he did everything he was supposed to do for this baseball team. I mean, their hits were bloops," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire.

David Ortiz was 2-for-4 with an RBI single for the Twins, who committed two costly errors.

"I can promise you this, the Minnesota Twins will show up tomorrow," Gardenhire said. "We're going to try to get this thing back to The Metrodome and we'll go from there. We've had our backs to the wall, been in holes all year long, I promise you we'll come out and play baseball tomorrow. We'll give the fans everything they ask for tomorrow."

Anaheim's 20-year-old reliever Francisco Rodriguez has been unbelievable throughout the postseason, and he struck out two batters in the eighth to continue his impressive success.

Rodriguez has 15 strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings of relief in this year's post- season. The strikeout total is the most ever by a reliever in a single playoff year.

Anaheim's Darrin Erstad finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored in the win. He is 6-for-15 with three runs scored and an RBI in the ALCS.

Today's pitching matchup will feature a rematch of Game 1, when Minnesota claimed a 2-1 win at the Metrodome on Tuesday. Joe Mays took the win, while Anaheim's Kevin Appier suffered the loss.

Appier allowed two runs on five hits over five innings in the ALCS opener, striking out two and walking three in the loss. The veteran righthander makes his third start of the 2002 postseason today, and fifth playoff appearance of his career. He is the only player on Anaheim's active roster with any playoff experience prior to this season.

He started Game 2 of the Division Series against New York at Yankee Stadium and did not receive a decision after surrendering three runs on five hits over five innings. He walked three and struck out three, while yielding one home run.

The veteran righthander did not fare well down the stretch during the regular season, dropping his final three decisions. At home this year, the 34-year-old hurler was 6-8 with a 3.76 ERA in 18 starts. Today is his first home start of the '02 playoffs.

As a member of the Oakland A's, he appeared in two games of the 2000 Division Series against New York and was 0-1 with a 3.48 earned run average.

Lifetime, Appier is 8-7 versus Minnesota. He battled the Twins twice during the regular season and was 0-2 with a 4.38 ERA. In all, Appier allowed seven runs -- six earned -- on 18 hits in 12 1/3 frames. Appier is 0-3 in his last three appearances versus the Twins, including Tuesday's loss.

In his 10 innings of work in the 2002 postseason, Appier has allowed five runs.

Mays counters for the Twins, who will try to force a Game 6 at the Metrodome with a win today. The righthander held the Twins' fate in Game 1 and delivered a stellar performance in the 2-1 win. He permitted one run on four hits over eight innings with three strikeouts before turning it over to Eddie Guardado.

The 26-year-old hurler has lost four of his last six decisions dating back to the regular season, and has split his two postseason starts. One season after going 17-13 and earning a spot on the American League All-Star Team, Mays was just 4-8 in 2002 with a 5.38 earned run average this year.

Mays faced the A's in Game 2 of the American League Division Series and was tagged with the loss after surrendering six runs on nine hits in 3 2/3 frames at the Coliseum. He walked a pair and fanned one.

For his career, the righthander is 2-3 versus Anaheim. Mays did not square off against the Angels in the regular season. On the road in the regular season, he went 2-6 with a 6.75 ERA in nine starts.

The Angels went 54-27 at home this year, tying the Twins and A's for the most home victories in the Junior Circuit, while Minnesota finished with a mark of 40-40 on the road -- the lowest road victory total among the eight teams to reach the postseason.

If necessary, Game 6 will be played Tuesday night at the Metrodome.