Angels clinch West with 4-2 win over Yankees

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Angels clinched the American League West division with a 4-2 victory over the visiting New York Yankees on Wednesday.

The Major League-leading Angels (88-57) became the first team in baseball to secure a post-season berth by winning their division for the fourth time in five years.

"It hasn't been easy, by any means," manager Mike Scioscia told reporters. "This team has pulled together and done the job all year long."

Third baseman Robb Quinlan delivered a two-run single during the team's three-run fifth inning to lead the way.

"I've had at-bats in the playoffs and that might have been bigger," said Quinlan of his game-changing hit. "For a regular-season game, that was pretty special."

Starting pitcher Dustin Moseley (2-4) got the win over opposing pitcher Andy Pettitte in five innings of work, striking out six and allowing two runs.

Francisco Rodriguez recorded his league-leading 56th save of the season, one shy of the all-time record set by Bobby Thigpen in 1990.

The Yankees (77-69) have lost three of their last four as their playoff hopes continue to fade. They managed only four hits led by Xavier Nady's 2-for-4 performance.

The Angels were without center fielder Torii Hunter, who began serving his two-game suspension along with Yankees catcher Ivan Rodriguez for their physical confrontation during Monday's contest.

(Reporting by Jahmal Corner; Editing by Ed Osmond)