Bronx, NY (Best E Casino) - Jose Molina went 3-for-3 with a homer and three runs scored as the New York Yankees bested the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 8-2, in the third of a four-game set from Yankee Stadium.

Bobby Abreu also homered and drove in two runs for the Yankees, who had lost four of five. Wilson Betemit added two hits including a two-run homer, and Alex Rodriguez added a solo shot.

Mike Mussina (14-7) picked up his third win in four starts, holding the AL West leaders to two hits and two runs -- one earned -- over seven innings, fanning five with two walks.

"They only hit a couple balls hard," said Mussina. "I had it going today, was able to mix in my fastball with changeups."

Jeff Mathis was credited with the lone run for the Angels, whose five-game win streak came to an end.

Jered Weaver (9-9) suffered the loss, allowing eight hits and six runs over five-plus innings along with a season-high four home runs.

"Sometimes you have to say it's one of those days. You hate to trivialize it because there are things you can control when you're up there," said Weaver. "When you look back on it, you say there are things you could have done better."

The Yankees took a 3-2 lead in the third as Molina singled, went to third on another base hit from Johnny Damon, then scored when Derek Jeter hit into a double play. Abreu's homer in the following at-bat upped the advantage to two.

Molina's leadoff homer in the fifth, his first of the season, made it 5-2 for the Bombers and a Rodriguez solo blast to start the sixth upped the edge to four.

New York continued to pad its lead in the seventh on a Jeter RBI single and a run-scoring groundout from Abreu.

Following Mussina, Jose Veras and Brian Bruney each turned in scoreless innings of relief to close out the game.

"Mussina got the fastball in the spots he needed to," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "We just couldn't get much going. He knows what he's doing out there and after we did solve him, they just kept addding on runs."

Los Angeles struck first with a pair of runs in the second. Garret Anderson singled and Howie Kendrick sliced a ground-rule double down the line in right. Juan Rivera's groundout failed to advance the runners, then a sure-fire double-play grounder by Mathis turned into two runs. Rodriguez fielded the ball cleanly and got the force at second, but Jason Giambi couldn't dig out Betemit's low throw at first allowing both men to score.

Betemit atoned for his mistake in the home half, stroking a two-run homer just over the wall in right-center.

Game Notes

Despite the loss, the Angels have won eight of the last 12 meetings and two of three this season...Prior to the game, the Yankees announced that starter Chien-Ming Wang is not likely to return for the remainder of the season with a right foot injury. Wang has been sidelined since mid-June due to a partially torn tendon and sprain...Angels outfielder Torii Hunter did not play, as he was away from the team attending his grandmother's funeral...For Rodriguez, it was his 542nd career homer, only six away from Phillies Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt...Heading into Saturday, the Angels were a major-league best 49-5 when scoring first.