ANAHEIM, Calif. — Torii Hunter put on goggles, got on the clubhouse floor and began doing the butterfly and backstroke in a puddle of beer and champagne.

Hunter and the Los Angeles Angels had plenty to celebrate yesterday.

They became the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff spot this season by winning their fourth AL West title in five years.

"I love it. I'm Michael Phelps," Hunter bellowed, invoking the Olympic swimmer who won eight gold medals in Beijing. "This is what it's all about."

Francisco Rodriguez earned his 56th save in closing out the Angels' 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees. Second-place Texas lost to Seattle, 8-7, about an hour later, clinching the division for Los Angeles.

Hunter, who joined the Angels from Minnesota as a free agent during the offseason, began serving a two-day suspension yesterday, so he wasn't allowed on the field or in the dugout. He was suspended for helping trigger a bench-clearing scuffle with Yankees catcher Ivan Rodriguez on Monday.

Stadium scoreboards flashed '2008 AL West champions' and fans held up their own signs, including one that read 'I want to go to the World Series.'

"It doesn't get old," longtime Angels star Garret Anderson said.