Angels Sweep Yankees with Walk-Off Single

The New York Yankees were swept by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim today, losing 4-3 in the ninth inning.

Andy Pettitte started for the Yankees and worked a good outing. Pettitte tossed 99 pitches in seven innings, surrendered three earned runs on ten hits, walked two, and struck out three.

Joe Saunders took the hill for the Halos. He turned in a good game, going seven innings and giving up three runs on six hits. He walked three, and fanned six.

The Yankees scored first in the top of the first inning. With Johnny Damon on third base, Bobby Abreu singled to put the Yankees up 1-0.

The Yankees would add another run in the inning with an RBI double from Alex Rodriguez to score Derek Jeter and they led 2-0 after a half inning of play.

In the bottom of the third, the Angels broke through to score three runs. Chone Figgins singled to score Gary Matthews, Jr. and cut the Yankees' lead to 2-1. The Halos were helped out by a balk from Pettitte, and Erik Aybar singled to score Mike Napoli and tie the game at two. Before the end of the third, the Angels took the lead as Figgins scored on a sacrifice fly and RBI from Mark Teixeira, giving the Angels a 3-2 lead after three innings.

The Yankees tied the game right away in the top of the fourth. Robinson Cano grounded out on a fielder's choice, but Alex Rodriguez crossed the plate to knot the game at three.

The Yankees had a chance to score a run in the top of the eighth. With Rodriguez on second and one out, he was caught stealing third base. Yanks' Manager Joe Girardi dashed out of the dugout and argued with third base umpire Bill Welke, as he thought Rodriguez beat the throw.

After the game, Rodriguez commented on his caught stealing.

"I was safe," he said. "I beat the throw and Bill (Welke) just missed that one. He had good positioning and everything, but he missed it and he probably knows it. It's frustrating."

The Yankees were forced to use closer Mariano Rivera with Howie Kendrick and Napoli on second and first base, respectively. Rivera tossed one pitch and Figgins hit a ground ball between Cano and Wilson Betemit to give the Angels a walk-off win and a weekend sweep of the Yankees.

Francisco Rodriguez captured the win and improves to an even 2-2 record.

Damaso Marte, who put Napoli and Kendrick on base in the ninth inning, took the loss and falls to 4-2.

On a sidenote, the Yankees' young starter Ian Kennedy was optioned to Triple A Scranton-Wilkes-Barre before the game today.

Kennedy did not believe he pitched poorly in his start on Friday night, a game that Kennedy only tossed two innings, and the Yankees lost 10-5. 

Kennedy's comments sparked some controversy among the team. Lefty reliever Billy Traber took his roster spot and it is unknown at press time who will start on Wednesday night in Minnesota, as Kennedy was penciled in as the probable pitcher.

Tomorrow night at 8:10 ET, the Yankees will take on the Twins in Minnesota.

Sidney Ponson (7-2, 4.23 ERA) will face Glen Perkins (8-3, 4.38 ERA).