Wasps' victory leaves them two points off fifth-placed Saracens
Bath slumped to a fourth successive Premiership defeat in an uninspiring 11-6 loss at home to Wasps.
A Dave Walder penalty and Tom Varndell try gave Wasps a deserved half-time lead as the hosts looked lacklustre.
Olly Barkley was on target with two penalty attempts after the break but Walder's boot ensured Wasps' victory.
A second successive home defeat for Bath means they could slip to ninth in the Premiership table if Harlequins beat winless Leeds on Sunday.
Wasps began with some stout defending in the opening quarter but Bath lacked the precision to get on the scoreboard.
Richard Haughton and Walder threatened the Bath line but both were denied by outside centre Jack Cuthbert before an infringement in front of the hosts' posts allowed the Wasps fly-half to open the scoring.
It was Walder's deft chip over the top that Varndell gathered to score on 33 minutes but his conversion drifted wide.
Barkley also went wide with a shot from halfway and Bath spilled a good opportunity as the first half came to a close.
The home side worked their way back into the game after the break and were rewarded when Barkley was on target with a penalty wide to the right on 50 minutes.
Bath pressure was converted into another three points 15 minutes later but Walder restored Wasps' five-point advantage with nine minutes remaining.
Bath head coach Steve Meehan said: "We've got to be realistic about it. A lot of young guys are getting a lot more experience so there are some positives.
"They are getting more and more comfortable and understanding more and more about the demands of Premiership rugby.
"We know that if we keep plugging away and we keep bringing players back we will improve as a squad and as a team. We saw what happened last year.
"You've got to believe in yourselves and travel down the road you have chosen."
Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks said: "It's a difficult place to come and win and in difficult conditions. We really defended like a Wasps team should.
"Our front five have come under fire this year but really fronted up.
"Next week is going to be very tough against Exeter. We won't be taking them lightly this time."
Replacements: McMillan for Claassens (72), Barnes for Flatman (50), Dixon for Mears (50), Bell for Jarvis (50), Short for Fernandez Lobbe (50), Ovens for Skirving (72).
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