Abreu RBI single gives Angels 1-0 lead as Los Angeles tries to force Game 7 against Yankees

Abreu RBI single gives Angels 1-0 lead

NEW YORK — Slumping Bobby Abreu hit a go-ahead single against Andy Pettitte, and the Los Angeles Angels led the New York Yankees 1-0 after three innings Sunday night as they tried to force a seventh game in the AL championship series.

Jeff Mathis doubled up the gap in right-center leading off the second, making him 7 for 11 (.636) with five doubles in the series, and took third on Chone Figgins’ one-out grounder. Abreu, just 3 for 22 at that point, drove a hanging breaking ball into right field with two outs.

New York, which led the series 2-0 and 3-1, was trying to win its record 40th AL pennant and ease the bad memories of 2004, when the Yankees won the first three games of the ALCS against Boston before losing four in a row. The Angels were hoping to reach the World Series for the second time and force Philadelphia to travel across the country to Wednesday night’s World Series opener.

Just 11 of 70 previous teams that trailed 3-1 in best-of-seven postseason series came back to win, and just six of those comeback teams won Games 6 and 7 on the road.

Some fans already were anticipating the Yankees’ first Series trip since their 2003 loss to Florida. “Here comes you daddy Pedro” read one sign behind home plate, a reference to Phillies pitcher — and former Red Sox star — Pedro Martinez.

Pettitte made his first home postseason start for the Yankees since the 2003 Series and was seeking his 16th postseason win, which would break a tie with John Smoltz for the record. Pettitte also was trying for his fifth postseason series clinching victory, which would give him the most — one ahead of Catfish Hunter, Dave Stewart and Roger Clemens.

Joe Saunders started for the Angels in a matchup of left-handers who didn’t get decisions in their previous outings in the series.

Unlike the first two games, it was a relatively balmy 58 degrees at game time, and most starters switched back to short sleeves.

After Pettitte retired the Angels in order in the first, Vladimir Guerrero reached on an infield single leading off the second. But he followed with a baseunning blunder— straying too far off the bag when Kendry Morales flied to short right. Guerrero easily was doubled up by Nick Swisher.

Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez had two-out singles in the bottom half — with A-Rod extending his postseason hitting streak to 11 games. Jorge Posada hit an easy inning-ending flyout for the Yankees. In the first five games of the series, New York hit .179 (10 for 56) with runners in scoring position.

New York loaded the bases in the second on Robinson Cano’s one-out single, Melky Cabrera’s two-out single and a walk to Derek Jeter. Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher made a mound visit, and Johnny Damon — who hit a grand slam against the Yankees for Boston in the second inning of 2004 ALCS Game 7 — followed with a weak grounder to first.

After Rodriguez walked with one out in the third, Posada flied to Abreu, who banged into the right-field fence after making the catch. Hideki Matsui then grounded to first.

New York was seven outs from winning Game 5 at Anaheim on Thursday night but lost 7-6 when Swisher popped out with the bases loaded. It was the fifth straight loss for the Yankees in what could have been a pennant clincher. Game 6 was then postponed Saturday night because of rain.

If there is a Game 7, it would be at Yankee Stadium on Monday night. CC Sabathia, 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA in three playoff starts, would pitch for New York against John Lackey (1-1) or Jered Weaver (1-0).

New York began the night 4-0 at home in the postseason. In all eight postseason losses to the Angels in 2002, 2005 and this year, the Yankees held leads.