New York's Randy Johnson had his second impressive start in a row going seven strong innings allowing just two runs on eight hits to beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-2 and helping the Yankees earn a 2-2 series split. Johnson (13-9) didn't allow a run until the seventh inning.

Alex Rodriguez's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh proved to be the game winner.

Angel starter John Lackey was also effective, but needed some luck to work out of trouble. Lackey (10-9) also went seven innings in a losing effort. He surrendered three runs on 11 hits while striking out four and walking four.

Derek Jeter hit a 2-run home run in the bottom of the third to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead.

The Angels tied the score in the top of the seventh when catcher Jose Molina hit a one-out double to left center and one out later Chone Figgins singled to score Molina. Figgins scored the tying run on Howie Kendrick's double to right center.

That ended Johnson's night in which he struck out Tim Salmon in the fourth to record his 4,500th career strike out. He became only the third pitcher to reach that plateau. Nolan Ryan (5,714) and Roger Clemens (4,552) are ahead of the Big Unit. Johnson also won his 276th career victory.

Alex Rodriguez broke the 2-2 tie in the bottom of the inning with his sacrifice fly to right field. He nearly hit it out, but right fielder Vladimir Guerrero caught the ball with his back against the wall. Damon easily came home with the go-ahead run.

After the milestone strikeout catcher Posada tossed the ball into the Yankees dugout to be kept by Johnson as a souvenir. The crowd shouted, "Randy, Randy." Johnson waved his glove at the fans after the inning was over.

Kyle Farnsworth took over and pitched a perfect 1-2-3 eighth inning with a fastball reaching 101 M.P.H.

In the bottom of the inning, Posada started a five-run rally by hitting a solo shot to right off Brendan Donnelly's first pitch giving the Yankees a 4-2 lead. Craig Wilson singled and then advanced to second on a bunt single down the third base line by Melky Cabrera. Donnelly walked Damon to load the bases.

Jeter grounded into a fielder's choice with Wilson being thrown out at home.

LHP J.C. Romero was brought in to face Bobby Abreu. Abreu singled to second base to knock in Cabrera. Jason Giambi hit a sacrifice fly to right, and Damon had to hustle home to beat a strong throw by Guerrero that hit Molina on the fly.

Rodriguez hit a bad hop single off shortstop Orlando Cabrera to bring in Jeter. Romero got Robinson Cano to ground out to end the inning, but the damage was done with the Yankees handing closer Mariano Rivera a 7-2 lead.

Rivera threw a scoreless ninth to preserve the Yankees lead and victory.

The Yankees (69-46) improved their lead over second place Boston (68-49) to two games in the East Division. The Angels (61-58) dropped to five games behind the front running Oakland Athletics (65-52) in the A.L. West.

The Yankees begin a 3-game series against the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night starting at 7:05 p.m. EDT. Game 1 will showcase Erik Bedard (12-8, 3.91) against Mike Mussina (13-5, 3.50).

Notes: Jeter's bunt single in the bottom of the seventh drew chants of "MVP! MVP!"....Giambi committed a base running error in the bottom of the second when he ran through third base coach Larry Bowa's stop sign, and was thrown out at the plate by rookie CF Reggie Willits....Randy Johnson improved to 16-7 lifetime versus the Angels....LF Garret Anderson missed his third straight game with a sore back.