ANAHEIM -- Since Jonathan Papelbon became the Red Sox's closer as a rookie in 2006, he's been simply dominant.

His 113 saves since then are the third-most in baseball, and after pitching a scoreless inning against the Angels on Wednesday in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, the right-hander has now pitched 15 2/3 scoreless innings in postseason play.

complete postseason coverage

But Papelbon has been more dominant against the Angels than any other team he's faced. The entire Halos ALDS roster is just 2-for-42 (.048 batting average) against the closer, including postseason play. Only Vladimir Guerrero and Kendry Morales, who singled in the ninth inning on Wednesday, have hits against the closer -- and neither hit was for extra bases.

All told, the Angels' batters have struck out 18 times against Papelbon while drawing just three walks in 45 plate appearances. He also has six career saves and a win, coming in last year's ALDS, against the Halos.

Slamming the door
Jonathan Papelbon has yet to allow a run in 15 2/3 postseason appearances, and Angels batters are just 2-for-42 against the Boston right-hander.
Player
Batting stats
RF Vladimir Guerrero1-for-9, three strikeouts, one walk
OF Juan Rivera0-for-6, two strikeouts
LF Garret Anderson0-for-5, one strikeout, one walk
3B Chone Figgins0-for-5, three strikeouts, one walk
1B Robb Quinlan0-for-3, one strikeout
SS Erick Aybar0-for-2, two strikeouts
2B Howie Kendrick0-for-2, one strikeout
C Mike Napoli0-for-2, one strikeout
1B Mark Teixeira0-for-2
1B Kendry Morales1-for-1
CF Torii Hunter0-for-1
C Jeff Mathis0-for-1, one strikeout
OF Gary Matthews Jr.0-for-1, one strikeout
OF Reggie Willits0-for-2, two strikeouts
TOTALS2-for-42, three walks, 18 strikeouts