Recap: NY Yankees vs. LA Angels

By Sports Network

Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - CC Sabathia threw eight brilliant innings and the Yankees took advantage of multiple Angels errors on the way to a 4-1 win in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.

Sabathia (2-0) gave up only one run on four hits and a walk, while striking out seven for the Yankees, who swept the Twins in a Division Series matchup to advance to the ALCS for the first time since 2004.

It was Sabathia's second strong start of the 2009 postseason, as he has now allowed just two earned runs and struck out 15 in 14 2/3 innings. Prior to this season, the left-hander had posted a 7.92 earned run average in five postseason starts.

Hideki Matsui went 2-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs, while Johnny Damon added two hits and scored twice for New York. Mariano Rivera threw a scoreless ninth inning to pick up the save.

Angels starter John Lackey (1-1) took the loss after allowing four runs on nine hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. However, only two of those runs were earned, as Los Angeles committed three errors, including one by Lackey himself.

Kendry Morales had an RBI single in the loss.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Saturday back at Yankee Stadium.