ANAHEIM – The Angels are going for the kill with their ace today.
Anaheim, which made a remarkable role reversal from desperate pursuer to jugular-seeking hunter, will send Jarrod Washburn to the hill this afternoon for a possible American League Division Series clincher.
“I think we’re going to be OK,” an understated Angels manager Mike Scioscia said after Anaheim’s thrilling 9-6 come-from-behind victory over the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALDS last night.
“Hopefully Wash will pitch deep enough into the game, where we’ll get some match-ups late and get the guys we want up there on the mound.”
After pulling last night’s starter Ramon Ortiz in the third inning in favor of John Lackey (normally the Angels’ No. 4 starter), it was clear Scioscia was looking to Washburn for a stay-alive performance today.
But a funny thing happened to the Angels on their way to Desperationville: They won, putting Washburn (18-6 in the regular season) in position to eliminate the Yankees.
Washburn said he started on three days of rest for 1½ months during in the minors in 1997.
“I really liked it. I liked getting out there sooner,” he said. “As long as I physically felt capable of doing it, I didn’t see any problems with it.”
Washburn pitched well enough Tuesday night to win Game 1 at Yankee Stadium, leaving with the lead. He tossed seven innings, giving up six hits and four runs. When he hit the showers, his team led 5-4 after 7½ innings, though the Yankees rallied for an 8-5 win.
Scioscia juggled his rotation once before to get his ace into a key September game with Oakland. The result was a eight-inning, three-hit gem.
“I think it was the best game he’s pitched all season,” Scioscia said.
If there’s another reason for hope that Washburn will be fresh and ready to go today, it’s that he threw just 81 pitches (45 for strikes) on Tuesday night.
The 28-year-old lefty was the Angels’ top winner, with a career-high in victories and innings (206).