NEW YORK (AP) – John Lackey earned his major league-leading eighth victory and the Los Angeles Angels barely had to swing the bat during a seventh-inning rally Sunday that gave them a 4-3 victory over the New York Yankees and a three-game sweep.

Los Angeles took advantage after starter Mike Mussina got a quick hook, with pinch-hitter Erick Aybar and Chone Figgins drawing bases-loaded walks from Scott Proctor.

Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez held on in the ninth inning, giving up Melky Cabrera’s sacrifice fly before retiring Derek Jeter on a flyball with a runner on third for the final out. The AL West leaders won for the ninth time in 11 games and posted their first sweep at Yankee Stadium since 2004.

The Yankees lost for the seventh time in 10 games and dropped a season-high six games below .500.

Earlier in the week, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said general manager Brian Cashman was “on a big hook” for the team’s struggles. Before this game, Mr. Cashman said, “You can’t do something to save your job. I’m not going to recommend any panic moves.”

The Yankees tried most everything from the start.

In a rare move, manager Joe Torre took out the lineup card for the pregame meeting with the umpires. Perhaps he wanted a chance to talk to Jeff Nelson, criticized by Torre for a final strike three call in Saturday’s loss.

Before the Yankees batted in the bottom of the first, an inspirational scene from the movie “Rudy” was shown on the scoreboard. That clip is usually saved for the late innings, when they need a rally.

But it was the Angels who pulled off the comeback and won for Mr. Lackey (8-3). He gave up five hits, and Rodriguez got his 16th save in 17 chances.

Mr. Mussina took a 2-1 lead into the seventh and began the inning by striking out Gary Matthews Jr. After a walk to Casey Kotchman, Mussina was pulled after 95 pitches.

Mr, Mussina tipped his cap to the crowd of 53,508, waved to the fans and even paused on the top step of the dugout to soak in the ovation. The mood quickly changed once Mr. Proctor (0-2) relieved.

Howie Kendrick promptly doubled and Mike Napoli drew a full-count walk to load the bases. Aybar batted for Robb Quinlan and hung in for 11 pitches to draw another walk that made it 2-all.

Mr. Figgins was next, and the ninth-place batter also walked to force home the go-ahead run. That was all for Proctor, who covered his face with his cap when Mr. Torre came to get him. Brian Bruney relieved and Reggie Willits hit a sacrifice fly.

The Angels won without manager Mike Scioscia. He was back in California for his son’s high school graduation, and will rejoin the team for Monday night’s home game against Seattle.

Mussina started strongly, matching a career best by striking out the first four hitters. Napoli hit an RBI single in the fifth.

Seldom-used catcher Wil Nieves had a career day for the Yankees. In his 12th pro season, and playing his 50th game in the majors, he hit a pair of RBI singles and threw out two runners trying to steal.