*Angels' late-inning heroics surprise everyone but them*
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By Anthony Mormile 
SportsTicker Baseball Editor

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - The Anaheim Angels had two
singles and two walks through six innings against Russ Ortiz.
But as the rest of the American League and the San Francisco
Giants have learned, that's precisely when they are most
dangerous.

If there is one word to describe this Angels team, it is
resilient.

They have bounced back from the worst 20-game start in franchise
history and managed to reach the postseason despite playing in
the AL West, baseball's best division.  Once they got to the
playoffs, all they did was dethrone the defending American
League champions, the New York Yankees.

Of course, they lost the opener of the League Championship
Series to Minnesota before winning the next four games.  They
dropped the opener of this World Series before winning the next
two games.

But what Anaheim did on Saturday night at Edison International
Field is beyond resilient.  It is downright elastic.

After being outscored 25-4 since owning a 3-0 lead in the fifth
inning of Game Four, Anaheim was down to its final eight outs.
The Angels had not touched Ortiz, and the attending media were
looking for new adjectives to describe Giants superstar Barry
Bonds.

But with an appearance by the "Rally Monkey" and, more
importantly, a three-run homer by unsung hero Scott Spiezio, the
Angels began their comeback.

A three-run outburst against San Francisco top setup man Tim
Worrell in the eighth completed a stirring victory that forced
both teams to return Sunday.  But to the Angels, it was not that
big a surprise.

"We never give up," Angels catcher Bengie Molina said. "It's
hard to say why.  We were down, we knew we had to score five
runs and come back. It's been like this all season.  We knew we
were going to do it."

"We never give up," Angels shortstop David Eckstein said. "We
keep fighting until we win.  We just are that kind of club."

When closer Troy Percival polished off the win with a perfect
ninth, it marked just the fifth time in World Series history
that a team has erased a five-run deficit and won.  The Angels
also accomplished the feat against the Yankees in the Division
Series.

"That's why you play nine innings," Anaheim center fielder Darin
Erstad said. "The game doesn't end after seven.  If we're going
down, we're going down fighting.  We just kept battling and
pressing all game long."

"They believe in themselves," Angels hitting coach Mickey
Hatcher said. "I've never seen so many guys do so many little
things with such focus.  That's what I like.  These guys really
prepare themselves very very well."

The Giants tried to say the right things but found themselves in
a tough situation, having been so close to clinching the team's
first title in 48 years.

"We're down a little bit because we expected to win it," Giants
catcher Benito Santiago admitted. "But what happened tonight is
over."

"It's tough to shake off because it's the World Series," said
Giants designated hitter Shawon Dunston.

The truth is, Anaheim has been doing its comeback routine the
entire year.  The Angels rallied for 43 of their 99 wins.  On 22
occasions, they won in their final at-bat.

"I know that this team will not give up," Spiezio said. "That's
what I know.  We've seen that all year. ... Tonight was
incredible.  It was the most impressive comeback I've been a
part of."

"We stay in and just keep battling," Angels left fielder Garret
Anderson said. "We leave it all out there. Our guys don't let
anything take away the focus. We just focus until the game's
over.  We play every out until it's over.  Everybody stays the
same.  I've never been on a team like this.  Nothing bothers
us."

Giants right fielder Reggie Sanders had an understanding of what
was going on in the Angels' clubhouse following the game and
wasn't the only Giant left wondering if a golden opportunity
slipped away.

"It was a very good comeback for them," Sanders said. "They're
feeling good right now.  We let it slip away, but it wasn't the
last game. ... You'd think five runs is enough, especially in a
World Series game."

"This kind of thing happens all the time," San Francisco second
baseman Jeff Kent said. "You just don't like to see it happen in
the playoffs. ... We'd have loved to end it today but it didn't
happen.  I guess tomorrow will be a storybook finish."

The Angels would not have it any other way.

st 10-27-02 02:05 et