AFP - CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees saw to it that the Los Angeles Angels felt the chill, downing the Angels 4-1 in game one of baseball's American League Championship Series.

Sabathia allowed four hits in eight stellar innings and the Yankees capitalized on Angels mistakes to take the lead in the best-of-seven series that will send the winners to the World Series.

The southern California side appeared to be feeling the effects of the chilly, blustery weather as they made three errors that led to two unearned runs and allowed an infield pop-up to fall uncaught for an RBI single.

"We took advantage of a couple miscues," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "It's one game and we know that this is going to be an extremely tough series."

The wintry weather, with an unfavorable forecast, prompted officials to forego the pre-game introductions and get right to the action.

"It was about as cold as it gets," Sabathia said. "It was pretty nasty out there today."

The Yankees took a 2-0 lead in the first inning as they capitalized on a throwing error by left fielder Juan Rivera and a pop-up by Hideki Matsui that fell between third baseman Chone Figgins and shortstop Erick Aybar.

"It was a mistake. It was ugly, but it happens," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Angels starting pitcher John Lackey let out a shout of dismay, but things didn't improve for Los Angeles.

Kendry Morales singled in a run in the fourth to halve the deficit, but Matsui doubled to drive in a run in the fifth to stretch New York's lead to 3-1.

Derek Jeter singled in a run for the Yankees in the sixth after Lackey's misjudged throw on a pickoff attempt saw Melky Cabrera take second.

Lefthander Sabathia, in his first postseason with the Yankees, gave up a double and three singles, struck out seven and walked one.

"That was a great feeling to have the stadium rocking and chanting my name," said Sabathia, who could get as many as three starts if the best-of-seven series goes the distance.

Mariano Rivera pitched a hitless ninth for his record 36th postseason save, his second this season.

The Yankees will send AJ Burnett to the mound for Saturday's game two, while the Angels give the ball to Joe Saunders.

However, rain was forecast, raising fears of a postponement. Friday's weather was poor enough.

Nick Swisher and Johnny Damon wore caps with ear flaps, while second baseman Robinson Cano wore a ski mask.

Lackey was one of the few who played in short sleeves. He surrendered four runs - two of them earned - and nine hits in 5 2-3 innings.

The Angels eliminated the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs in 2002 and 2005. The Yankees are hoping to erase those memories by getting past their California foes to reach the World Series in their first season at the new 1.5 billion-dollar Yankee Stadium.