ANGELS WING IT YANKEES GO HOME AFTER NAIL-BITER LOS ANGELES 5, NEW YORK 3.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

ANAHEIM - At times, it seemed patchwork, parts gumption and determination. At others, it was seamless, all orchestrated and designed.

These Angels appear a little of everything, somehow both easy to fathom and impossible to describe.

What they clearly were Monday were winners, defeating the powerful Yankees 5-3 to capture their American League Division Series and advance to the championship series for the second time in four years.

They won without getting a single victory from the man expected to win the Cy Young, Bartolo Colon. Won without getting a single start from Jarrod Washburn.

Won without reigning A.L. MVP Vladimir Guerrero driving in one run the entire series. Without stolen base leader Chone Figgins stealing a single base.

And they won anyway, found one more way to pull together, to go to the next man, to overcome the veteran Yankees and their record $203 million payroll.

``What distinguishes this team is the love and respect we have for each other,'' said second baseman Adam Kennedy. ``We just have a good group of guys, guys who work hard and you want to battle with.''

A team that won Monday behind a kid who started the season in Double-A, the amazing Ervin Santana, unexpectedly coming out of the bullpen when Colon went down in the second inning with a sore shoulder, acting the cool veteran in the first postseason appearance of his young life.

Won with the home run, the line drive, the blooper, a deep drive that went off colliding outfielders, with sacrifice bunts, singles stretched into doubles, and not without a bit of luck.

Won despite walking just five times in the five games compared with the 27 walks taken by the Yankees. By coming from behind in all three of their victories.

With a home crowd that had been oddly dormant in the first two games at Anaheim alive and vibrant, awash in a sea of red, on its feet, imploring, pulling, believing.

``This is a team with special chemistry,'' said owner Arte Moreno. ``These guys all want to win, and they don't care who gets the credit.''

They are a team of pieces where every member counts, a team hard to define but impossible not to appreciate. A team fun to watch.

A team whose players celebrated and reveled in Monday's victory, with champagne flowing and hugs and cigars and cries of joy in their post-game clubhouse.

Colon approached first baseman Darin Erstad - who plays his position like the center fielder he once was - and hugged him tight, whispering in his ear that he would fight through his injury to help the team continue its postseason drive.

``Just don't do anything stupid,'' Erstad said.

It's not some sappy catchphrase with this team; they actually do care about each other, pull for one another, band together to find a way to win.

Unlike the Angels' championship team of 2002, a powerful and explosive offensive team, the strengths of this team are more subtle.

``We've had strong pitching and defense all year,'' said general manager Bill Stoneman, as drenched in champagne as any of his players. ``We do all the little things well. It's a great group of guys with an experienced core.''

A team that will need all its resources if it is to advance to the World Series.

After the champagne ebbed and the celebration became more personal, the Angels boarded a late flight to Chicago. They open the ALCS tonight against the White Sox.

They'll be playing their third game in as many cities in as many days, weary and enthused, their rotation uncertain, their bodies in some vague time zone.

The White Sox haven't played since eliminating the Red Sox in their division series Friday. They are rested and waiting, their rotation set, and appear to have a clear early advantage.

The Angels were too excited Monday to care. They had defeated a talented team that also played hard, that made them earn most everything that came their way and weren't about to be deterred by the newest obstacle.

``Any time you're playing a team as talented as that club (Yankees) in that other locker room, you know you have to play at a high level,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``We did that in a lot of important areas.''

The Yankees had overcome much themselves to make it there, despite all their expensive stars, and banded together to chase down the Red Sox in the A.L. East.

``I'm just terribly disappointed,'' said Yankees manager Joe Torre. ``I don't think I've ever been more disappointed in a final score.

``The White Sox are a very good ballclub, but these Angels don't take a back seat to anybody.''

The Yankees had to watch the Angels celebrate in Anaheim for the second time in four years.

Despite the disappointment, like most, they still had a certain admiration for all the small things that make the Angels so huge.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Angels pitcher Francisco Rodriguez unleashes his jubilation after he closes out Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Monday night against the New York Yankees in Anaheim. Starter Bartolo Colon suffered a second-inning shoulder injury and was relieved by rookie Ervin Santana, who pitched five and one-third innings.

Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press

(2) The Angels and the Yankees go separate ways Monday - the Yankees home to New York, and the Angels to Game 1 of the ALCS tonight in Chicago against the White Sox.

Keith Birmingham/Staff Photographer