NEW YORK, April 30 (UPI) -- Ramiro Pena capped off a three-run eighth inning with a two-run double Thursday, lifting the New York Yankees past the Los Angeles Angels 7-4.
The Yankees broke a 4-4 tie with their key inning and won their third straight, a streak that has come on the heels of four consecutive losses.
Justin Speier (0-1) came on to start the eighth for the Angels and retired leadoff hitter Hideki Matsui. Robinson Cano then singled and went to third on a ground-rule double by Jorge Posada and Nick Swisher walked to load the bases for Melky Cabrera -- who singled in Cano to give the Yankees the lead.
Pena followed with his double to right, driving in Posada and Swisher.
The three-run inning made a winner out of Phil Coke (1-0), who claimed the second victory of his MLB career by retiring all three men he faced in the top of the eighth.
Mariano Rivera came on in the ninth for his fifth save.
Mike Napoli hit a solo homer for the Angels in the second and Johnny Damon had one for the Yankees in the third.
