It took more than five hours, but the Los Angeles Angels finally beat the Boston Red Sox in 12 innings, 5-4, to extend their baseball playoff series to a fourth game.

Boston had won the first two games in Anaheim, and a win Sunday night in Boston would have meant a sweep for the Red Sox in the best-of-five series. Catcher Mike Napoli hit two home runs in the game, and standout relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez had to escape from a bases-loaded jam in the 10th inning to preserve the tie so that his teammates could have a chance to win the game.

Besides extending the American League Division Series to a fourth game, the win snaps the Angels' 11-game postseason losing streak against Boston.

Red Sox starter Josh Beckett, who hadn't pitched in 13 days, had an uncharacteristically rough outing, giving up more hits and walks than usual.

Neither team will have much time to recover from Sunday's game, however: Jon Lester will take on John Lackey in Game 4 on Monday night. If the Angels can pull out another win, they would return home to California for a fifth and decisive game on Wednesday.