BOSTON, Oct 6, 2008 (AFP) - Boston's Jed Lowrie singled in the game winning run as Jason Bay beat the throw to home and the Red Sox defeated Anaheim 3-2 to advance to the American League Championship series on Monday.

'I got a curve ball down in the zone and I was able get barrel on it and find a hole,' rookie Lowrie said.

'It doesn't feel any better than to be able to do it here in Boston.'

Bay dropped in a bloop ground-rule double with one out. Mark Kotsay's line drive was then caught by first baseman Mark Teixeira, the Angels had a chance to get out of trouble.

Lowrie then smashed a hard roller just past the outstretched arms of second baseman Howie Kendrick to allow Canadian Bay to charge home and beat the throw from the outfield for the game-winning run.

'I can't prepare for something like this,' Bay said. 'It is a dream. This is step one or two of couple more steps we need to get where we want to go.'

The Red Sox now will face off against the AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays in one of two Major League Baseball semi-finals series. The Red Sox and Tampa series begins on Friday.

The Angels were trying to beat Boston for the second consecutive game after the Red Sox had won the previous 11 matchups between the two.