The Yankees fell behind early but battled back in the fourth then tacked on two more runs in the eighth to win the series 4-2 and reach their first World Series since 2003.

Pitcher Andy Pettitte earned his 16th playoff win as the Yankees turned to closer Mariano Rivera for the final six outs Sunday and he delivered in front of a crowd of 50,171 at Yankee Stadium.

"We had to finish strong," said Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. "I was thinking just get six outs and get them as quickly as possible."

The Yankees will now try to win their 27th Major League Baseball title as they begin the World Series Wednesday at home against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The defending World Series-champion Phillies defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games in the other semi final.

"It is going to be a battle. It will be a fight just like ALCS," said Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia who will start game one of the World Series.

New York's game six against the Angels was postponed from Saturday because of poor weather.

Yankees starting pitcher Pettitte finished with six strikeouts and just one walk while his teammates chased Angel pitcher Joe Saunders from the game in the fourth.

Pettitte (2-0) allowed just one run on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. The veteran left-hander became the winningest pitcher in playoff history, earning his 16th win to break a tie with John Smoltz.

Rivera converted a six-out save to preserved the win, as the Yankees added on two runs in the eighth.

"We got a great team and a lot of our guys have never had the chance to be here," said Yankees catcher Jorge Posada.

Johnny Damon had two hits, including a bases-loaded, two-run single in the fourth inning.

Alex Rodriguez also had two hits, but it was his bases-loaded walk in the fourth that provided the eventual game-winning run for New York.

The Yankees' veteran lineup includes plenty of postseason experience but this will be the first World Series for Rodriguez.

"I feel like a 10-year-old kid again," Rodriguez said. "I couldn't be more excited. Ever since I was a five-year old this has been my dream."

Vladimir Guerrero collected three hits for the Angels, which stayed alive with a win in game five on Thursday but couldn't muster the magic to force a game seven.

"We have to keep our heads up and get better," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "They earned it but we have to get better.

"We shot ourselves in the foot a couple of games in this series and if you make mistakes they are going to let you know.

"This is a special group of guys and right now they are taking it hard. I can't forget the great things they have accomplished and as much as they have been through."

Wednesday's game will be a matchup between former Cleveland teammates as Cliff Lee, who won the 2008 Cy Young, gets the start for the Phillies, while another lefthander Sabathia pitches for the Yankees. Sabathia won the Cy Young in 2007.

"This team has been great all year and hopefully we will play one more great series," said Yankees infielder Derek Jeter.