"The Boston Red Sox were in agreement: They do not like Bobby Abreu. It was the ultimate compliment for the veteran right fielder, whose fingerprints were all over the Angels' three-game American League division series sweep of the Red Sox.

"I can do without Abreu," Boston third baseman Mike Lowell said. "I felt like he was on base the whole damn series. I mean, I like the guy, but I don't like him that much."

Next to Lowell in the losing clubhouse was reliever Billy Wagner, who gave up a leadoff double to Abreu in the eighth inning, the hit that sparked the comeback that gave the Angels a 7-6, series-clinching win in Fenway Park.

"I hate Bobby Abreu," Wagner said. "Tell him I said that."

The Angels love the guy. Can't get enough of him.

Abreu gave them more bang for the buck than any of the free agents on the market last winter, hitting .293 with 15 home runs, 103 runs batted in, 96 runs and 94 walks after signing a one-year, $5-million deal.

As an added bonus, Abreu schooled several Angels youngsters on the value of plate discipline and patience.

And now, Abreu has proved his worth in the postseason, collecting five hits in nine division series at-bats (.556) against the Red Sox, drawing four walks -- all in Game 1-- and scoring four runs in three games.

With two outs in the ninth inning Sunday, Abreu lined a run-scoring double off the left-field wall to pull the Angels closer, 6-5, and set the stage for Vladimir Guerrero's two-run, game-winning single against closer Jonathan Papelbon."