ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Mike Napoli quickly made up for missed time.
A late replacement, the rookie catcher threw out a runner trying to steal, then hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the Los Angeles Angels over the New York Yankees 6-5 Friday night.
Napoli, batting a paltry .228 after a fast start, lifted his fly ball to left field off Octavio Dotel.
"In that situation, especially against a pitcher he's never faced who has a power arm, you're looking for contact," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Mike's strong enough to drive the ball to the outfield, and he got just enough of it to get it to the outfield and win the game. That's a huge at-bat, and it should give him a boost of confidence."
Mike Myers (1-1) faced only one batter, giving up a leadoff double to Garret Anderson. Dotel relieved and ex-Yankee Juan Rivera singled, sending pinch-runner Reggie Willits to third.
An intentional walk to rookie Howie Kendrick loaded the bases, and Adam Kennedy popped out. Dotel just missed on a 2-2 pitch to Napoli, whose fly easily scored Willits.
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