NEW YORK -- The Angels had plenty of scoring opportunities against the Yankees on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium. When the game was over, they had done just enough to edge New York, 3-2.

Los Angeles made sure that New York’s pitchers didn’t have clean innings. During the first seven innings, the only clean frame was the second, when starter CC Sabathia struck out the side. The Angels ended up going 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position, and their biggest chance to score a handful of runs occurred in the sixth inning.

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The score was tied at 2 with the bases loaded, no outs and Yankees reliever Adam Ottavino on the mound. After Andrelton Simmons flied out to Brett Gardner for the first out of the inning, Albert Pujols hit a grounder to Ottavino, who threw home but well over the head of catcher Kyle Higashioka to allow Michael Hermosillo to score the go-ahead run.

“Once the ball was on the ground, my only option was to go home,” Hermosillo said. “And then it was just avoiding the catcher. I didn’t want to have anything happen where I hit him. I couldn’t see the ball sailing over my head. After looking at the video, I could see it. Luckily, I was able to put a little pressure on [Ottavino] and let him try to make a play.”

The Angels couldn’t tack on from there, as Kole Calhoun and Kevan Smith struck out to end the threat, but their third run proved to be plenty.

“I was pleased by the win,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “You are glad to put yourself in a position to get the bases loaded. We got a run out of it today. But it has been a little bit of a challenge with the bases loaded this past month.

“We would like to get the big hit. I will take the single run tonight because it gave us the win. But we like the big hit once in a while, too.”

Los Angeles needed four pitchers to keep the Yankees in check. In relief of starter Dillon Peters, Luke Bard picked up the victory by working three scoreless, hitless innings and striking out five batters.

“This might be as good of an outing as I’ve seen from Bard, going back to the beginning of last year, when he was here,” Ausmus said. “He had a lot of swings and misses on the slider. Fastball velocity was good. He looked sharp.”

It has been an up-and-down season for Bard. The 28-year-old righty has spent a lot of time in the Minor Leagues this year, but he feels he has assumed a regular routine since rejoining the Angels on Sept. 1.

“I’m trying to be ready to go all the time,” Bard said. “I’m getting ahead [of the hitters], staying ahead, throwing my slider in good spots. I’m working the fastball inside, outside, up and down. Things that I know can make me successful, it’s just a matter of going out there and executing it.”

After Ty Buttrey pitched one frame, Hansel Robles earned his 22nd save by working around one hit in the ninth.

Ausmus seemed pleased that his team -- temporarily, at least -- prevented the Yankees from clinching the American League East title.

“It’s not fun to watch, although it doesn’t bother me,” Ausmus said. “I’m sure they will get their celebration soon enough. I would rather not be here.”