Yankees rip Angels, claim 40th AL crown

NEW YORK – The New York Yankees won their first pennant in six years Sunday night, beating the Los Angeles Angels in the American League championship series to secure a place in baseball’s biggest event.

The Yankees won 5-2 in Game 6 of the ALCS behind the savvy pitching of Andy Pettitte and next host defending champion Philadelphia in the World Series opener Wednesday night.

Cliff Lee is expected to face Yankees ace CC Sabathia in an enticing pitching matchup between former Cleveland teammates – and the past two American League Cy Young Award winners.

Ridiculed in the past for his October flops, Alex Rodriguez played a huge role in helping the Yankees advance through the playoffs, batting .438 with five homers and 12 RBIs.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” Rodriguez said. “I feel like a 10-year-old kid.”

The slugger earned his first trip to the World Series during a 16-year career in which he’s accomplished almost everything else.

Pettitte set a postseason record for wins, Johnny Damon hit a two-run single and Mariano Rivera closed it out in familiar fashion with a six-out save as the Yankees won their 40th American League crown by vanquishing the Angels, a longtime nemesis.

Now, the Yankees go for their record 27th title – when manager Joe Girardi was hired two years ago, he took jersey No. 27 with that in mind.

“We’re just trying to enjoy this,” Derek Jeter said. “Hopefully, we can play one more great series.”

Not a bad way for Jeter and crew to finish up the first season at the team’s new $1.5 billion ballpark.

For manager Mike Scioscia and his sloppy Angels, it was their latest playoff failure during a decade of consistent regular-season success. Since winning their only championship in 2002, the Angels are yet to return to the World Series despite five AL West titles in the past six years.

“At times we played good baseball. At times we shot ourselves in the foot,” Scioscia said.

After rain postponed Game 6 for a day, the clear weather and mild temperature at first pitch was a stark change from the first two games of the series.

Pettitte escaped a jam in the sixth, going to 3-0 on Kendry Morales before knocking down a comebacker with runners at second and third to preserve a 3-1 edge. The left-hander pumped his fist, then headed for the dugout.

Pettitte left to a standing ovation with one on and one out in the seventh and tipped his cap to the sellout crowd of 50,173, the largest at the new Yankee Stadium. He earned his 16th postseason win, breaking a tie with John Smoltz, and his fifth to close out a postseason series – also a major league record.

(AP)