Lackey won Game 7 of the 2002 World Series as a rookie, but the Angels’ recent playoff history hasn’t been as good. They were swept by Boston in the first round in 2004 and ’07 — both times the Red Sox went on to win the World Series.

The Angels are 7-1 with seven straight wins this year against Boston, which fell two games behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.

“We’re a different team than in years past,” said Angels reliever Scot Shields, who has been with the club since 2001. “We have the total package.”

Lackey hadn’t had much luck against the Red Sox. He was 2-6 with a 6.01 ERA against them in his career, including a 1-4 record and 7.46 ERA at Fenway.

Buchholz (2-6) gave up five earned runs on six hits and three walks, striking out five in 6 1-3 innings. He loaded the bases in the third before Figgins singled and Maicer Izturis walked in a run, then Garret Anderson hit a two-run homer in the fourth to make it 4-0.

Los Angeles took a 6-0 lead in the seventh when Quinlan hit a leadoff triple and scored on Howie Kendrick’s sacrifice fly.

Notes: The Angels are 14-0-2 in their last 16 series against AL teams. ... Buchholz hasn’t won in six starts since May 2. ... Quinlan was added to the lineup after Kotchman was traded to Atlanta.

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