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Final Score: LA Angels 1 - NY Yankees 0

Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Ervin Santana and Francisco Rodriguez combined on a five-hit shutout as the LA Angels of Anaheim blanked New York, 1-0, in the second leg of a four-game set at Yankee Stadium.

The Angels finally broke a scoreless tie off Yankees All-Star closer Mariano Rivera (4-4) in the ninth. Mark Teixeira opened the frame by drawing a walk. Reggie Willits came on to pinch run and was quickly chased to third when Vladimir Guerrero sliced a single to the opposite field. Torii Hunter then ripped a single up the middle passed a drawn-in infield to give Los Angeles all the offense it would need.

Rivera has allowed just eight earned runs all season, seven of them in non- save situations.

"It is a disappointment," Rivera said. "I wish I could explain it but there's not a big difference in each situation. You never want to let your teammates down."

Rodriguez came on to pitch a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his major league-best 45th save of the season.

Santana (12-5) allowed just five hits and two walks while striking out eight for the AL-West leading Angels, who won their fifth straight game and ninth in 10 games.

"Everything was working the way I wanted," Santana said. "I was throwing the slider and fastball for first pitch strikes and I was patient."

Derek Jeter was 2-for-4 for the suddenly struggling Yankees, who have dropped five of their past six games and fell 5 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay in the AL East.

Sidney Ponson was brilliant on the hill for New York, hurling seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits and four walks while fanning one.

The Yankees were helpless off Santana, however. Johnny Damon led off the game with a walk and Jeter followed with a single to right. But, the Angels right- hander settled down to strike out Bobby Abreu and Alex Rodriguez before getting Jason Giambi on a harmless pop out.

The only other serious scoring opportunity for New York was in the fourth when Abreu led off with a single, swiped second with one down and advanced to third with two outs on a wild pitch. A Robinson Cano fly ball to left ended things.

The Yankees also had runners on first and second with two down in the sixth, but Giambi fanned.