(Sports Network) - The New York Yankees will try once again to put the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's celebration plans on hold in this afternoon's finale of a three-game series between the teams from Angel Stadium.

The Angels had an opportunity to clinch a share of the American League West title with a victory in last night's clash with the Yankees, but New York spoiled those plans with a 7-1 win.

Alfredo Aceves (1-0) shined in his first major league start, as the Yankees rookie surrendered just one run on five hits over seven strong innings. He got plenty of help from Johnny Damon, who belted a pair of home runs and finished with three RBI to lead New York offensively.

Alex Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer and Xavier Nady had two hits, including an RBI double, for the Yankees, who had lost four of their last five coming in.

Angels starter Ervin Santana (15-6) was reached for six runs (5 earned) on eight hits over the first 6 1/3 innings to receive the loss. Vladimir Guerrero knocked in Anaheim's lone run with a groundout and singled in his final at-bat to extend his hitting streak to nine games.

The Angels' magic number to wrap up the AL West remained at two after second- place Texas won at Seattle last night. With a win this afternoon combined with a Rangers loss on Wednesday, Anaheim will secure its fourth division crown in five years.

The team may have to do it without center fielder Torii Hunter, however. The multiple Gold Glove award winner left last night's contest with tightness in his quadriceps muscle and will likely sit out today.

Anaheim hands the ball to Dustin Moseley in the rubber match of this set, with the right-hander hoping to improve off his most recent start.

Moseley lasted only 1 1/3 innings in last Friday's 10-2 loss at Chicago and was tagged for four runs on six hits. It was the 26-year-old's first appearance in the big leagues since he allowed two runs in a 5 1/3-inning no- decision at Oakland on July 13.

In three lifetime appearances, including one start, against the Yankees, Moseley has no record and a 4.50 earned run average over eight total innings.

Andy Pettitte gets the assignment today for New York and will be seeking to end a personal three-start losing streak. After surrendering a total of 12 runs and 20 hits over 11 innings in back-to-back defeats to division-rivals Boston and Toronto, the veteran left-hander had an improved showing in Friday's outing at Seattle.

Pettitte worked seven innings against the Mariners and gave up three runs while matching a season-best with nine strikeouts. However, that still wasn't enough to prevent him from taking the loss in the Yankees' 3-1 setback.

The 36-year-old is 12-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 24 lifetime starts against Anaheim, although he's struggled in a pair of matchups with the Angels this season. In those two games, Pettitte has been rocked for 12 runs and 21 hits over 12 1/3 innings while recording a loss and a no-decision.

The Angels have beaten the Yankees six times in nine tries this season and have dominated this series at home over the last few years. Since the start of the 2005 campaign, New York has gone just 5-13 at Angel Stadium in regular- season play.