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Yankees, Mariners advance to ALCS

Associated Press

Shortstop Derek Jeter, left, and third baseman Scott Brosius celebrate after the New York Yankees became the first team in major league history to win a best-of-five series after losing the first two games at home. Associated Press

As Jeter solidified his place in Yankees' lore, the three-time defending World Series champions became the first team ever to win a best-of-five series after losing the first two games at home.

New York fell behind early as Roger Clemens stumbled, then seized on Oakland's youthful nerves to beat the Athletics 5-3 in the deciding Game 5 last night and advance to the AL championship series.

The Yankees will travel to Seattle, where the Mariners defeated Cleveland, 3-1, in Game 5 of their divisional series. The series begins tomorrow.

With New York trailing 2-0, Alfonso Soriano started the comeback in the second inning with a two-run single, New York created two runs from three errors and David Justice capped the comeback with a pinch-hit home run into the right-field seats — his first RBI in 62 at-bats since Sept. 5.

Then came Jeter, whose amazing backhand flip to the plate following an overthrow preserved the Yankees' 1-0 win in Game 3 — and turned the series.

After getting two hits to break Pete Rose's postseason record with 87, Jeter showed the heart and skill of a champion.

With a runner on first in the eighth, he dived headlong into the photographer's box behind third base to catch Terrence Long's foul pop. The runner advanced, but was stranded, and after the inning Jeter bandaged his elbow cut.

With the delirious Bronx crowd chanting at fever pitch, Mariano Rivera closed it out, capping 4 2/3 innings of shutout, two-hit relief started by winner Mike Stanton and Ramiro Mendoza.

Mariners 3, Indians 1: This unexpected season of seasons isn't nearly finished for the Seattle Mariners.

Back home where the Mariners' magic multiplies, baseball's best team during the regular season guaranteed it would be around for most of October.

Jamie Moyer tamed Cleveland's bats for six innings, Ichiro Suzuki got three more hits and Mark McLemore drove in two runs as the Mariners advanced to the ALCS with a 3-1 win over the Cleveland Indians in the deciding Game 5 of the playoffs.

After saving their record-setting season on Sunday by winning Game 4 in Cleveland, the Mariners returned to the safety and screaming fans in Safeco Field and did what they've done all season.

They got solid starting pitching, clutch base hits, solid relief work and won for the 119th time since April.

There was no wild celebration after third baseman David Bell threw out Juan Gonzalez at first for the final out. The Mariners know they still have a lot of work ahead.

As 47,867 stood and cheered, the players exchanged hugs and high-fives near second base before heading to a clubhouse celebration.

And now, the Mariners advance to their third ALCS — they also appeared in '95 and '00 — but for the first time, they'll have home-field advantage when they get there.

Seattle will play host to the best-of-seven series beginning Wednesday against the New York Yankees.

Suzuki, the Japanese sensation whose legion of fans grows with every infield single, gave Cleveland headaches all series long. He went 12-for-20 (.600), scored four runs and set the table for nearly every Mariners' rally.