(AP) - Game 6 of the AL championship series between theLos Angeles Angels and New York Yankees was postponed because ofrain Saturday.

The game was rescheduled for 8:20 p.m. Sunday at Yankee Stadium.

New York leads the best-of-seven series 3-2 and needs onevictory to clinch its 40th pennant and reach the World Series forthe first time since 2003. Game 7, if necessary, will be Monday inNew York at 7:57 p.m.

"The one thing is, you don't want to stop and start, and wedon't know when the rain is going to get out of here," Yankeesmanager Joe Girardi said. "I respect the decision that they made.I'm sure both clubs would have liked to have played, but theweather's not permitting it."

If the Angels can push the series to a seventh game, the rainoutcould benefit them. No. 1 starter John Lackey, who took a shutoutinto the seventh inning in Game 5, could be available to pitch onthree days' rest.

Rain had been falling off and on in New York since Friday night.A steady drizzle, with occasional spurts of heavy downpour, keptthe tarp on the field all afternoon. The game was called by MajorLeague Baseball nearly 2 hours before the scheduled first pitch of7:57 p.m.

Joe Saunders had been slated to start for Los Angeles againstfellow left-hander Andy Pettitte, looking to set a pair of majorleague records. Pettitte owns four series-clinching wins among his15 career postseason victories - both tied for the most in baseballhistory.

Girardi said the Yankees will stay with Pettitte on Sunday nightrather than switch to ace CC Sabathia, who would be on regularrest.

The gates opened to fans about an hour before Game 6 waspostponed. Fans holding tickets for Saturday must use them Sundaynight.