Abreu homers down Yankees

BOBBY ABREU hit his second homer of the game, a two-out, two-run shot off Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning, to give the visiting Los Angeles Angels a 6-4 victory over the New York Yankees last night.

The Angels, the only American League team with a winning record against the Yankees over the last decade, saddled New York with its first three-game losing streak since early June.

"It's unbelievable," Abreu said. "You never expect as a hitter you're going to hit a homer against Mariano."

Abreu's drive deep into the rightfield seats was only the second homer allowed this season by Rivera (1-2). The Yankees closer faltered for the second straight appearance after he blew a ninth-inning lead Sunday night in Boston.

"I don't worry about that. That's going to happen," Rivera said. "Unfortunately, it happened tonight."

Jordan Walden worked the ninth for his 26th save in 33 chances for the Angels.

Abreu connected for his first multihomer game this season and 16th of his career. Once a star for the Yankees and Phillies, Abreu sat in a golf cart outside the Angels' clubhouse and chatted with some of his former teammates before the game while rain washed away batting practice.

The Angels moved a season-high 12 games over .500; they have the AL's best record since mid-June.

Curtis Granderson hit his 29th homer for New York.

In other games: *

At St. Petersburg, Fla., righthander James Shields (11-9) threw a six-hitter for his major league-best eighth complete game this season, Evan Longoria homered and had four RBI, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals, 4-0. Shields also has four shutouts this year. Longoria drove in two runs on a single during the first inning and hit a two-run homer in the sixth. He has driven in 12 runs over his last 12 games despite having just nine hits during the stretch.

The game was played in 1 hour, 53 minutes, the fastest nine-inning game in Tampa Bay history.

* At Arlington, Texas, Josh Hamilton drove in the winning run with a single in the ninth inning and the AL West-leading Rangers rallied from a three-run deficit for a 7-6 victory over Seattle. Ian Kinsler and Endy Chavez homered for the Rangers, whose division lead over second-place Los Angeles remained at 1 1/2.

* At Minneapolis, Darnell McDonald hit a two-run homer into the upper deck in leftfield to help the Boston Red Sox defeat the Minnesota Twins, 4-3. David Ortiz gave the Sox the lead for good on an infield single with the bases loaded in the seventh inning and Jonathan Papelbon earned his 26th save.

* At Toronto, Josh Willingham and Kurt Suzuki homered, Rich Harden pitched seven strong innings for his first career win over Toronto, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Blue Jays, 4-1.

* At Baltimore, Brent Morel homered and drove in two runs, Carlos Quentin also connected, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Orioles, 4-3, for their season-high fifth straight victory. Gavin Floyd (10-10) gave up three runs in 6 2/3 innings for the White Sox.