Los Angeles Angels reliever Brian Fuentes, right, celebrates with catcher Jeff Mathis and Gary Matthews (24) after their 7-6 win in Game 3 of the divisional series with Boston. The Angels completed a sweep of the Red Sox on Sunday in Boston.

Boston ? Torii Hunter emerged from the visitors’ clubhouse at Fenway Park to spray champagne over the fans and family gathered there. Erick Aybar did him one better, handing over bottles of bubbly to those who came from California to see the Los Angeles Angels go for the sweep.

History gave no reason to hope for such a celebration.

The Angels and Vladimir Guerrero shrugged off their postseason failures and swept away the Red Sox on Sunday, scoring three runs off Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning to beat Boston, 7-6, and advance to the AL championship series.

It was the first postseason sweep in Angels franchise history. And they did it against the team that has knocked them out of the playoffs the previous four times they met.

“I told you guys earlier: It’s going to be a different scene,” Hunter said. “Vladdy came through. That’s probably one of the biggest hits of his career.”

Papelbon was one strike away from extending the series with three different batters, but Aybar singled on a two-strike pitch, Chone Figgins walked and Bobby Abreu fouled off three straight pitches before doubling in one run.

Hunter was walked intentionally before Guerrero singled the first pitch to center and Figgins and Abreu raced home to give L.A. the lead.