The Detroit Tigers took the lead on Delmon Young's ringing double in the 12th inning. Then came the blow that really staggered the New York Yankees. A little grounder up the middle left Derek Jeter sprawled in the dirt, screaming in pain. The Yankees had lost more than the AL championship series opener—they had lost their captain for the rest of the postseason with a broken left ankle. Detroit's 6-4 win and Jeter's injury last night capped a game of wild swings and wild swings of emotion.
"They talked about a three-month recovery period," manager Joe Girardi said. "Won't jeopardize his career, but he will not be playing any more for us this year." Eduardo Nunez will fill Jeter's roster spot, with Jayson Nix likely taking over at shortstop. Alex Rodriguez, back in New York's lineup following a benching in Friday's division series finale, was 0 for 3 and stranded six runners—striking out on three pitches with runners at second and third and no outs in the sixth as fans booed loudly. Rodriguez was dropped to sixth in the batting order for the first time since the 2006 playoff finale against Detroit. (More New York Yankees stories.)