The New York Yankees celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Angels, 10-1, in Game 4 of their American League Championship Series in California on Wednesday. The win gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven playoffs. (REUTERS)

ANAHEIM, California (AP) - Alex Rodriguez homered in the third straight game of his outstanding postseason and CC Sabathia allowed just five hits over eight resilient innings on short rest as the New York Yankees beat the Los Angeles Angels 10-1 Tuesday to take a 3-1 lead in the American League championship series.

Rodriguez had three hits and scored three runs, while Melky Cabrera drove in four runs for the Yankees, who have built a commanding cushion in this series and are now potentially one game away from a return to the World Series.

One day after the Angels handed New York its first playoff loss in an extra-inning thriller, the Yankees calmly asserted control with two early rallies before piling on five runs late.

Johnny Damon added a late two-run homer for the Yankees, who could sew up their first trip to the World Series in six years with a win in Game 5 on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. New York's A.J. Burnett faces Angels ace John Lackey.

With a two-run homer over the left-field fence that silenced an excited Anaheim crowd in the fifth, Rodriguez drove in a run in his eighth straight postseason game, tying the major league record.