Angels Clinch West, Join Playoffs Party

Lackey subdues Seattle as Los Angeles rolls 7-4
Posted Sep 24, 2007 4:18 AM CDT
Angels Clinch West, Join Playoffs Party
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher John Lackey delivers a first-inning pitch against the Seattle Mariners during a baseball game on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)   (Associated Press)

The Angels clinched the American League West in characteristic fashion—behind a quality start from ace John Lackey and a perfect ninth from Francisco Rodriguez. They are the third AL team to punch their playoffs ticket. Cleveland also won a berth in the Central and Boston nabbed at least a wild-card entry.

All three teams have 92 wins—Cleveland has 63 losses, while Los Angeles and Boston have 64. Lackey kept a perfect bounceback record, improving to 9-0 in starts following a loss. It's the third Los Angeles division title in four years. (More MLB stories.)

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