'48 Tribe wins AL Flag by defeating '04 Halos in 5

The only surprise here is that Anaheim actually won one game. The Tribe has been that dominant this season and has steamrolled the Junior Circuit. The Angels jumped out and took the series lead by winning the opener, but Cleveland st0rmed back and swept the rest of the series.

GAME 1 (ANA 5, CLE 2): With a 9 day layoff since the end of the regular season + a final series where they rested most of their regulars the 1948 Indians looked rusty and only plated 2 runs against Kelvim Escobar. Bob Lemon gave up 5 runs. With Anaheim holding on to a tenuous lead in the 8th the Halos scored 2 to put it out of reach when Guillen doubled home Vlad and Chone Figgins. Troy Percival came on to notch the save and put the Halos up 1-0 in the series. Ken Keltner hit his 12 homer of the season in a losing effort.

GAME 2 (CLE 5, ANA 2): Now it was Cleveland's turn to win 5-2. Gene Bearden increased his KOD4 record to 7-0 and the great Satchel Paige came on in the 9th to nail down the save. The Tribe broke it open in the 6th when they scored 3 big runs. Jim Hegan hit a 2 run shot after Thurman Tucker reached second on an error by Vlad. Larry Doby doubled and was allowed to score when Vlad made another error, this time on a Lou Boudreau single. Troy Glaus had 3 of the Angels 6 hits, but he only managed to touch home once.


GAME 3 (CLE 3, ANA 2): The series moved to Orange County for the next 3. Bob Feller gave Cleveland a virtuoso performance as he yielded just 1 run over 7 and 2/3's. Gromek allowed the Angels to make it interesting when he yielded a solo run in the 9th, but Cleveland held on to take a lead in the series at 2 games to 1. The top 5 hitters in Cleveland's lineup all had a hit. Vlad had 3 for the Angels, but failed to drive in or score a run. Troy Glaus had 2 hits including a solo homer to remain hot in the losing effort.

GAME 4 (CLE 9, ANA 3): The Tribe scored early and often and chased Angel starter Jared Washburn from the hill by the 3rd inning. Bob Lemon threw 8 pedestrian innings and gave up 3 runs, but he didn't need to be spectacular since the Indian offense took care of everything for him. Lou Boudreau went 3 for 5 with 4 RBI's, including his 9th homer of the season.

GAME 5 (CLE 4, ANA 2): The Angels sent Kelvim Escobar (game 1 winner) to the hill to help stave off elimination. The Indians had other ideas and touched him for four runs (3 earned) in 6 innings of work. Cleveland split the game between Zoldak (5 inn) and Gromek (4 inn). Zoldak gave up 2 runs (1 earned) and notched his 4th win against zero defeats as the Tribe clinched the AL Pennant in 5. Ken Keltner continued his hot hitting this season going 2 for 3 with a big homer. There were no big innings in this game. Cleveland stayed consistent and scored 1 run in 4 consecutive innings. The Tribe will head home for a parade and to host the opening 2 games of the World Series vs the 1978 'Phightin's.