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Angels top Yankees, clinch AL West

Sep 11, 2008 - 1:39 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Two players not known for being in the spotlight helped the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim clinch their second straight American League West title on Wednesday.

Robb Quinlan drove in two runs and Dustin Moseley tossed six effective frames as the Angels recorded a 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees, earning their fourth division crown in five years.

Anaheim won its seventh division title and fourth under manager Mike Scioscia. In 2002, the team won the AL pennant and World Series as a wild card entry.

"It's a great feeling and it never gets old," Angels owner Arturo Moreno said. "I'm happy for Mike and everyone. Just want to finish out the year and get prepared to play for the playoffs. I don't wear jewelry, but I will take a (World Series) ring."

The Angels, who own the best record in baseball, can spend the final 17 games setting up their rotation for the playoffs.

"(It) never gets old, and it's just a great thing to be a part of," Scioscia said. "Just want to keep playing good baseball."

Gary Matthews Jr., Garret Anderson and Vladimir Guerrero smacked three straight singles to open the fifth inning. After Yankees starter Andy Pettitte struck out two batters, Quinlan laced a go-ahead, two-run base hit.

"(I'm) just glad I was able to come up with a big hit in that situation," Quinlan said. "I knew I was going to see some good pitches with the bases loaded, so I was just trying to find my pitch I could drive. ... It was a good win and always good to take a series from a team like the Yankees."

Pettitte (13-13) gave up four runs - three earned - and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings, losing his fourth straight start.

"No doubt, this was extremely frustrating being one strike away from getting myself out of trouble," Pettitte said. "I got more of the middle of the plate against Quinlan and he took advantage. I had to throw a lot of pitches and gave up a lot of hits.

"It's disappointing with the way I'm throwing lately. It's been a rough go the last four starts for me. I'm not getting it done and that's it."

Moseley (2-4) surrendered two runs in the first, but settled down to toss five stellar frames for the victory. The 26-year-old righthander allowed three hits and struck out five.

"Amazing things can happen when you stay strong and keep pitching," Moseley said. "I just wanted to stay relaxed and do what I can do. (I) just tried to go out and keep the team in the game."

Moseley was making a spot start for Jered Weaver, whose injured fingers pushed back his start to Thursday, and won for the first time since April 9 against the Cleveland Indians.

Three relievers bridged the gap to Francisco Rodriguez, who notched his major league-leading 56th save. The righthander moved within one save of tying Bobby Thigpen's single-season record, which was set in 1990 as a member of the Chicago White Sox.

New York scored both of its runs in the first on Jason Giambi's RBI single and a balk by Moseley that allowed Bobby Abreu to score from third.

Juan Rivera cut the Angels' deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the first by grounding into an RBI fielder's choice.