ANGELS PLAYER INSIDE LOOK: SPIEZIO WANTS TO BE LIKE DAD.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - While champagne and beer flowed throughout the Angels' clubhouse, Scott Spiezio didn't want to uncork the bottle in his hand. He was saving it for his dad, the person who fueled the Angels' first baseman's drive to do whatever it takes to win a World Series.

Spiezio's father, Ed, won two World Series titles during a nine-year major-league career. The younger Spiezio doesn't want to be outdone and has done his share this year to make sure he gets a chance to become the family's next champion.

Spiezio homered in a three-hit, three-RBI performance Sunday during the Angels' 13-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, clinching the Angels' first World Series berth and raising Spiezio's postseason batting average to .353.

``My dad's got two World Series rings,'' Spiezio said. ``I want one, too.''

The playoff drive seems to put Spiezio at his best.

He finished the regular season hitting in nine consecutive games. In the Division Series, he batted .400. Spiezio, who bats lower in the order behind sluggers Garret Anderson, Troy Glaus and Brad Fullmer, had a team-high six RBI in the five ALCS games.

``Every at-bat is gigantic,'' Spiezio said of his desire to never waste an at-bat.

He didn't waste any Sunday. Spiezio tied the game by leading off the fifth with a home run to right field. Teammate Adam Kennedy untied the game with a home run two batters later, but by the next time Spiezio came to the plate, the Angels were trailing again.

Spiezio's leadoff single in the seventh started a streak of six consecutive Angels hits in a 10-run inning. Spiezio wasn't satisfied even with a four-run lead when he got his second at-bat of the inning. He ended up with a two-run single to make it 11-5.

``I know when I got up there, I was praying, `Let me get these two runs in, let me get on base,' '' Spiezio said. ``I know other guys were thinking that, too. It ended up happening.''