Los Angeles (AP) -  The Los Angeles Angels rallied from the brink of playoff elimination by overcoming a six-run New York seventh inning to hold on and beat the Yankees 7-6.

It was a roller-coaster game on Thursday in which the Angels led 4-0 then fell behind 6-4 before storming back with a three-run seventh to win 7-6 in game five of the American League championship series.

The hard-fought victory cut the Yankees series lead to 3-2 and forced game six back in New York on Saturday.

"We got another shot," said Angels starting pitcher John Lackey. "The guys battled. We had a rough inning and the guys came back and scored runs right after that. We overcame a lot."

The Angels started quickly with four runs in the opening inning but it soon became apparent no lead was going to be safe Thursday.

Kendry Morales capped a three-run rally in the seventh with an RBI single for Los Angeles in front of a crowd of 45,113 at Angels stadium.

The Yankees left the game with the bases loaded as Nick Swisher hit an infield pop up to end the game on a 3-2 pitch with two out.

"We are down 3-2 but we are just punching, kicking and clawing," said Angels Torrii Hunter. "My hair is falling out but this is exciting. Everybody thought we were out it."

Angels lefthanded closer Brian Fuentes made it interesting in the ninth by walking Alex Rodriguez and Japan's Hideki Matsui. He beaned Robinson Cano to load the bases.

Swisher, who is batting just three-for-28 in the playoffs, failed to drive in the go-ahead run marooning his three teammates.

The winner of the American League pennant will face the defending World Series-champion Philadelphia Phillies beginning Wednesday.

New York is trying to get the World Series for the first time since 2003 when they lost in six games to the Florida Marlins.

The next game is at Yankee Stadium where New York ace Andy Pettitte will face Los Angeles' Joe Saunders. Weather forecasters are calling for heavy rain.

Just a half dozen teams have rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win a league championship series. The Red Sox did it two years ago en route to the title.

"It's a missed opportunity, but we still have another game," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We've bounced back from tough losses all year long. We've had it happen to us before and been able to get off the carpet."

Angels' starter Lackey looked brilliant into the seventh inning surrendering just six hits. With the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh, the Angels pulled Lackey out of the game.

The seventh inning alone lasted almost 45 minutes and included nine runs from both teams and 63 pitches.

"That's not a forgiving team over there," Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said. "They hit pretty quick in that inning with six runs, and we bounced back and answered with three. In the dugout between innings, guys were still pumped up. Just some real good hitting."