Phil Hughes picked up the win after blowing a 5-4 lead in the 8th, but he could hardly be faulted. Robinson Cano allowed Howie Kendrick to reach on an error and Jorge Posada followed up with a throwing error of his own, allowing Kendrick to reach 3B with none out. After Maicer Izturis singled in Kendrick and Abreu walked, it looked like the Yanks would find another way to lose to Anaheim. But Hughes reared back and struck out Vlad Guerrero and Torii Hunter to end the threat.
Brett Gardner set the stage for the winning run again for the 2nd time in a week against the Angels, once again beating them at their own game. He led off the 9th with a single and stole second base. After Derek Jeter walked, Johnny Damon sacrificed both runners and Mark Teixeira was intentionally walked. ARod came through with a SF to give the Yanks a 6-5 lead. Mariano Rivera came in and did his thing, giving the Yanks a confidence boost against a potential playoff foe. With the win, the Yanks were able to clinch at least a playoff berth. Barring a total collapse, the Yanks should win the AL East and wrap up the best record in baseball for home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Yankees Record: 96-56
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