Anaheim, CA (My Sportsbook) - The Angels lived to play another day and earned a trip back to the Bronx, as Kendry Morales' RBI single capped a three-run rally in the seventh inning and paced Los Angeles past the New York Yankees, 7-6, in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series.

The win didn't come without some trepidation, as southpaw closer Brian Fuentes intentionally walked Alex Rodriguez with two outs in the ninth then walked Hideki Matsui and hit Robinson Cano to load the bases. Nick Swisher, 3-for-28 with just one RBI in the postseason coming into the at-bat, popped up to short on 3-2 pitch to end the game.

The Yankees still lead the best-of-seven set, 3-2, with Game 6 scheduled for Saturday night in New York. The Yankees will start Andy Pettitte, while the Angels counter with Joe Saunders.

The winner of the American League pennant will face the defending World Series-champion Philadelphia Phillies beginning next Wednesday. The Yankees are vying for their 40th trip to the Fall Classic, and their first visit since falling in six games to the Florida Marlins six years ago.

Torii Hunter, Vladimir Guerrero and Morales all went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in for the Angels, who held a 4-0 lead going to the seventh, but then gave up six runs before rallying again. The Angels can draw from the fact that they have beaten the Yankees in both of their postseason meetings, the last coming in the 2005 playoffs.

"We are just going out there to play every game, one game at a time," said Hunter. "The pressure is not on us. We are still going to go out and grind."

A game that appeared to be following a certain script took a massive detour in the top of the seventh. Angels starter John Lackey was in control of the game with a 4-0 lead until the Yankees filled the bases. Melky Cabrera doubled with one out in the seventh then Jorge Posada walked on a borderline 3-2 pitch. Deter Jeter then walked before Lackey induced a shallow fly out off the bat of Johnny Damon without a runner advancing.

Then, Angels manager Mike Scioscia made a pivotal decision.

He removed his ace for left-hander Darren Oliver to face Mark Teixeira, who wasted little time with a bases-clearing double to left-center on a hanging off-speed pitch.

"I just with my heart said leave John in. My head said let's turn Tex around. I thought turning him around at that time was the move. Obviously, it didn't work out," stated Scioscia.

Oliver then issued an intentional free pass to Rodriguez and Matsui slapped a run-scoring single to center, squaring the contest at 4-4. Oliver then gave way to Kevin Jepsen (1-0), who served up a go-ahead, two-run triple to Robinson Cano on a low-and-in slider.

Suddenly, Lackey's exit turned a four-run lead to a two-run deficit in a matter of four batters and two pitchers.

However, the Angels came right back with a three-spot to regain the edge in the seventh. Jeff Mathis singled -- his third hit of the game -- and Erick Aybar walked to set the table before Chone Figgins moved both runners up one base on a sacrifice bunt off Damaso Marte.

Bobby Abreu's slow chopper to first plated one run, ending Marte's night in favor of Phil Hughes (0-1). The right-hander walked Hunter then allowed Guerrero's single to center, scoring the tying run.

"He is still making pitches. He got to the counts that he wanted to, but he got to Vlad Guerrero and missed his spot," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said about Hughes.

Morales followed with a hot shot to right, plating Hunter for a 7-6 game.

The Angels threatened for extra insurance in the home half, but Mariano Rivera entered and worked out of a second-and-third, one-out pickle to keep the Yankees within one run.

Rodriguez was walked twice during a 1-for-3 game with one run scored. His consecutive-game postseason RBI streak was halted at eight, leaving him tied with former Yankee great Lou Gehrig and Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard for the record. Howard also drove in a run for eight consecutive games during these playoffs.

The game quickly swung in the first frame as the Yankees looked poised to take an early lead in a series-clinching game only to be turned aside. Jeter and Damon each singled to right, but never moved another base, and the Angels used the momentum to attack A.J. Burnett in the home half.

Figgins worked a walk in front of Abreu, who sliced a double into the right- center field alley. Hunter followed with a solid base hit to center, scoring both runners. Guerrero followed with a two-bagger into left-center, plating Hunter for a 3-0 edge. Morales then smoked a single to left, scoring Guerrero as the Angels jumped on hanging breaking pitches from Burnett.

The Angels were 4-for-29 with runners in scoring position in the series before three consecutive hits in that situation in the first frame. They led the league in batting with runners in scoring position during the regular season.

Burnett settled in until the Angels' big rally in the seventh. He gave up six runs on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts over six-plus frames. His opposing hurler, Lackey, was charged with three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and three walks over 6 2/3 frames.

Game Notes

Three teams have come back from a 3-1 series deficits and won Game 6 and 7 on the road. The 2004 Red Sox beat the Yankees, while the 2003 Marlins and 1985 Royals also accomplished the feat. Each of those teams went on to win the World Series...The Angels went 5-for-13 with runners in scoring position, while New York left 10 men on base.