ANGELS' WIN COMES OUT OF LEFT FIELD ANDERSON'S DEFENSE CHANGES MOMENTUM ANGELS 5, N.Y. YANKEES 1.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

NEW YORK - Jarrod Washburn didn't look like he'd be long for Wednesday's game just two batters into it.

A Derek Jeter walk and a Bernie Williams double had Yankee Stadium rumbling even before the Angels starter could record an out. But almost eight innings later, Washburn was still around, thanks to deft pitching on his part and a lot of help from his friends.

Jeter, attempting to score from first on Williams' double, was erased at the plate on a perfect throw from Garret Anderson and block by catcher Jose Molina, setting the tone for a superb defensive effort in the Angels' 5-1 victory over the Yankees.

Anderson had three hits and drove in three runs, and he and Steve Finley hit two-run homers in support of Washburn. But the signing of Finley to a two-year, $14 million contract this offseason was as much about defense as it was offense. Finley gives the Angels a four-time Gold Glove winner in center field. His presence also enables Anderson to shift from center to left, the difference between Anderson being a serviceable defender and a stellar one.

After Anderson dug Williams' ball out of the corner in shallow left field, Yankees third-base coach Luis Sojo did not hesitate to send Jeter home. But Anderson fired a strike to Molina, erasing a stunned Jeter, and Washburn had the break he needed.

Washburn went on to induce three double-play balls, one that came a pitch before Alex Rodriguez's fourth home run in two nights. But Anderson's play gave him a chance to get settled.

``He took another step toward proving he's the best left fielder in the game,'' Washburn said of Anderson. ``That's huge. He made a great play on that ball. You don't want to give momentum to a team like that.''

Washburn (1-0) made sure the momentum stayed in the visitor's dugout. His first four starts produced two stellar outings and two so-so performances, which meant he was due to pitch well Wednesday.

And he did. Washburn struck out Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui to strand Williams at second to end the first inning. Against the power-packed Yankees, he pitched 7 2/3 innings, giving up nine hits but just one run while striking out four.

Unlike Bartolo Colon - who gave up Rodriguez's three homers on Tuesday, including a grand slam - Washburn made great pitches before Rodriguez could hurt him.

One pitch before Rodriguez cleared the wall in straight-away center field for his eighth homer, Washburn got Hideki Matsui to ground to first baseman Darin Erstad, who started a double play. Washburn, who has struggled with pitch efficiency in the past, nearly completed eight innings on just 99 pitches.

``The Yankees have an incredibly disciplined team,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``For him to get that deep with that pitch count, he had to have great command, and he did.''

Washburn overcame his club's lone defensive misstep, which came when Molina made an ill-advised throw to second on Tony Womack's sacrifice bunt attempt in the third, creating a two-on, no-out situation.

Manager Joe Torre put on a hit-and-run play and Jeter hit a well-struck grounder to third baseman Dallas McPherson. But McPherson gathered the ball, fired to Chone Figgins at second just ahead of the speedy Womack, and Figgins completed the double play.

Three innings later, Rodriguez hit a smash right at McPherson, who couldn't glove the ball, and it was scored a hit.

``I got back to the dugout and told (Paul) Byrd that's the hardest ball ever hit at me,'' McPherson said.

But the rookie, who dropped a popup Tuesday night and is usually replaced defensively in the late innings, gathered himself. He made a nice play on Andy Phillips' grounder to start another double play, and Washburn pounded his glove three times in glee.

Gabe Lacques, [phone]

gabe.lacques(at)sgvn.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 5 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) no caption (Alex Rodriguez)

(2) The Angels' Steve Finley, right, is congratulated by Garret Anderson after Finley's two-run home run in the fourth inning Wednesday.

Julie Jacobson/Associated Press

Box:

(1) ANGELS at NEW YORK

- Gabe Lacques

(2) HARD ACT TO FOLLOW

(3) GAME RECAP

(4) HOW THE RUNS SCORED

(5) ALMANAC