Anaheim, CA (My Sportsbook) - The 2002 American League Championship Series resumes this evening, when the Anaheim Angels welcome the Minnesota Twins to Edison Field for Game 3 of the best-of-seven set.

After dropping the first contest of this set by a 2-1 score, the Angels came back to even the series at one game apiece with a 6-3 victory on Wednesday at the Metrodome. Brad Fullmer belted a two-run homer and Darin Erstad hit a solo blast for Anaheim, which improved to 2-2 on the road during the postseason.

Scott Spiezio had an RBI double and David Eckstein added a run-scoring single in a three-run second inning for the Angels, who raced out to a 6-0 lead. Troy Glaus was 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in the winning effort, while Fullmer, Spiezio, Eckstein and Erstad also had two hits apiece for the Halos.

"It's nice to get a lead," explained Anaheim skipper Mike Scioscia. "It's nice to jump out. That gave us a big lift."

Ramon Ortiz held the Twins scoreless through the first five innings before being reached for three runs in the sixth. Still and all, Ortiz picked up his first career win in the postseason, scattering 10 hits with one walk and three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings of work.

The Anaheim bullpen of Brendan Donnelly, Francisco Rodriguez and closer Troy Percival allowed just one hit over the final 3 2/3 innings.

"When you get into a situation like these playoffs where you give us a lead," said Percival of the Anaheim bullpen, "all we ask out of our starters is get five good innings, hand it over to the boys and let them get their work done."

Doug Mientkiewicz went 3-for-4, including a two-run single in the sixth for the Twins, who fell to 13-3 all-time at the Metrodome in the playoffs, with two of the losses coming this postseason (2-2).

Rick Reed suffered his second loss of the playoffs for Minnesota, permitting six runs -- four earned -- on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. He didn't walk or strike out a batter, but gave up two homers.

Minnesota relievers Johan Santana, J.C. Romero, LaTroy Hawkins and Mike Jackson were also impressive, combining to permit just two hits over 3 2/3 frames.

"We gave ourselves a chance late, but we made too many mistakes early," said Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire.

Eric Milton takes the ball tonight for the Twins. With his team down two- games-to-one and facing elimination in the American League Division Series, Milton defeated the Oakland A's with seven innings of six-hit, one-run ball. He walked one and fanned three, while yielding one round-tripper.

The lefthander struggled in the final month of the regular season, going 0-2 with a 6.64 earned run average in five attempts, but rebounded to pitch well in his first-ever postseason appearance. Milton toed the hill 12 times -- 11 as a starter -- on the road this year, compiling a 6-3 record with a 5.97 ERA and one complete game. By comparison, the 27-year-old hurler finished 7-6 with a 4.23 earned run average at the Metrodome during the season.

Lifetime, Milton is 5-2 versus Anaheim. The former first-round pick faced the Angels three times this year and was 1-2 with a 6.46 ERA. His only win came at Edison Field on May 26, when he surrendered a pair of runs -- one earned -- on six hits over six innings. Both losses occurred in Minnesota.

Jarrod Washburn counters for the hosts. Washburn pitched in two games against the Yankees in the American League Division Series, going 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA. He earned the win in Game 4, on three days' rest, after allowing two runs -- one earned -- on six hits over five frames at home.

In Game 1 of the series at Yankee Stadium, the lefthander permitted four runs on six hits in seven innings. He was tabbed as Anaheim's starter for that game after establishing career bests during the regular season in wins (18), earned run average (3.15) and innings pitched (206). Washburn was an impressive 13-3 on the road this season, but only 5-3 with a 3.79 ERA at Edison Field.

For his career, Washburn is 3-2 versus Minnesota. He faced the Twins on three occasions in the regular season and went 2-0 with a 2.70 earned run average. Both triumphs came at the Metrodome, while his only home start versus the AL Central champs ended in a no-decision after the 28-year-old hurler surrendered three runs on four hits over eight frames. He has not battled Minnesota since July 16.

These teams met three times at Edison Field this year, with the Twins winning a pair. Over the last two seasons, Minnesota is 6-3 in Anaheim.

The Angels went 54-27 at home this year, tying the Twins and A's for the most home victories in the Junior Circuit, while Minnesota finished with a mark of 40-40 away from home -- the lowest road victory total among the eight teams to reach the postseason.

Game 4 of this series is scheduled for Saturday, when John Lackey (0-0, 0.00) takes on Brad Radke (2-0, 1.54). Lackey will be making the first start of his career in the playoffs, while Radke is hoping to remain perfect after beating Oakland twice in the ALDS.

Anaheim hopes to have veteran outfielder Tim Salmon in the starting lineup tonight. Salmon was forced to leave Game 2 with a strained right hamstring and is listed as questionable for this game.