The Yankees drew 11 walks last night, and stranded most of them on base. Though New York left 12 runners on (the Angels left 8), Nick Johnson smacked an RBI single off a Troy Percival heater in the 10th inning, and the Yanks beat the Angels,2-1. The Yanks swept the World Champs and gained another game on Boston who were busy losing an extra-inning affair of their own. Boomer Wells pitched well, and Armando Benitez got out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the eighth (he got the win, Rivera the save).

After losing to the Angels in the playoffs last year, it sure is nice to spank the World Champs, who are not even playing .500 ball.

Meanwhile, Pedro Martinez left after six innings last night in Texas trailing, 3-2. Trot Nixon tied the game with a homer in the ninth, and B.Y. Kim threw three scoreless innings. But Buster Olney’s boy, Alex Rodriguez crushed a grand salami off of Todd Jones in the 11th to give Texas the win. The Yanks lead is now three-and-a-half games.

The Bombers head to Oakland to face The Big Three this weekend. Mussina v. Hudson to start it off tonight. Should be worth the price of admission.