GAME 1: Angels 3 – White Sox 2
CHICAGO – In hindsight, the issue at hand wasn’t rest. It was rust.
The Angels were playing in their third city in three nights, but they didn’t look weary. The White Sox hadn’t played since last Friday, and it showed.
If the Angels were the zombies that everyone thought they’d be, then last night’s 3-2 victory was “Night of the Living Dead.”
“Guys haven’t really complained,” winning pitcher Paul Byrd said. “I don’t know if we’re delirious or what.”
The Angels built a three-run lead by the third, and Byrd and the bullpen made it stand up. Although both starters were strong, the junk-balling Byrd was a run better than fireballer Jose Contreras, and Los Angeles outplayed Chicago both offensively and defensively.
“We haven’t played in a while, so it’s hard to say what went on out there,” White Sox right fielder Jermaine Dye said. “You can come up with all kinds of different things as to why we didn’t get it done.
“We haven’t seen live pitching in a while, we haven’t been in game situations. But there’s no excuses.”
Chicago could’ve chosen from three starters for Game 1, and Contreras went 8 1/3 innings. Los Angeles had one legitimate choice, and Byrd lasted into the seventh on three days’ rest.
That was huge, considering Cy Young Award front-runner Bartolo Colon isn’t on the ALCS roster due to an inflamed shoulder and tonight’s scheduled starter, Jarrod Washburn, is still recovering from strep throat.
“We’re going on adrenaline,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said before the game. “We got about as much playoff sleep as you get anyways.”
The Angels manufactured two of their three runs following Garret Anderson’s second homer in as many nights, which led off the second. Meanwhile, the White Sox couldn’t do the same.
For example, both of their attempted steals killed rallies in the fifth and seventh. In the latter case, catcher A.J. Pierzynski mistakenly thought he saw a hit-and-run sign.
Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said he didn’t know if the time off hurt his club, adding, “We needed a couple days off. I cannot make an excuse.”
Nicknamed “The Sleepwalker” by one L.A. columnist, Anderson blasted a 2-and-0 low, inside fastball into the right-field seats. It was his third homer and eighth RBI this postseason.
“I’m always a little tired,” Anderson said. “Everybody’s tired this time of year. You’ve got to suck it up and keep playing.”
Steve Finley and Adam Kennedy singled to start a third-inning rally, and, following a sacrifice, they both scored. Orlando Cabrera’s chopper down the third-base line was too slow for Joe Crede to make any play.
Vladimir Guerrero then hit a comebacker. Contreras – who had won his previous nine starts – tried to turn an inning-ending double play, but second baseman Tadahito Iguchi chucked the ball 10 feet high to first.
With one out in the third, Crede homered to left-center. In the fourth, Pierzynski’s two-out single to right plated Carl Everett after his one-out single.
But a fruitless eighth-inning rally typified Chicago’s night. Juan Uribe’s leadoff single was squandered when Scott Podsednik, who led the AL with 39 infield singles and 16 bunt hits in the regular season, couldn’t get a bunt down.
In the ninth, Chicago couldn’t capitalize on third baseman Chone Figgins’ error because Aaron Rowand’s sacrifice attempt became a forceout at second.
“I think they outplayed us the whole game – by a run,” Paul Konerko said.
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AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
At a glance
Game Date Site Time
Game 1 – Last night Angels 3, White Sox 2
Game 2 – Today Angels at White Sox 8:00 p.m.
Game 3 – Friday White Sox at Angels 8:10 p.m.
Game 4 – Saturday White Sox at Angels 8:15 p.m.
*Game 5 – Sunday White Sox at Angels 8:15 p.m.
*Game 6 – Oct. 18 Angels at White Sox 8:20 p.m.
*Game 7 – Oct. 19 Angels at White Sox 8:20 p.m.
* If necessary TV: Ch. 5. Radio: ESPN (1050 AM)
