Detroit Tigers beat the New York Yankees 6-4 in an exciting opener of the ALCS Saturday, in a game in which Yankees captain Derek Jeter was ruled out of the remaining postseason games due to injury.
In the 12th inning, outfielder Delmon Young's ringing double helped the Tigers take the lead. Later when Jeter dived desperately to stop a ground smash from Jhonny Peralta he badly injured his ankle and had to be escorted off the field.
Derek Lowe, the former Red Sox right-hander, and an admirer of Jeter said: "This guy's unbelievable with what he brings to this team behind closed doors. It's crushing, no doubt about it. It will probably take a little bit of time to kind of have reality sink in.
"It is what it is. We'll have to find a way. I imagine he'll still be there as far as instilling leadership, the role he's always been in. It's going to test the resolve of his team."
Raul Ibanez who looked impressive for the Yankees and gave them a glimmer of hope when he got yet another tying homer in the ninth inning.
"It was a great moment for us, obviously, being able to battle back. Watching Jeter go down was, and still is, a very difficult moment for us as a team and what he means to us, a great player and the great leader that he is, we've got to try to move forward and fight now. Guys have got to step up."
Jeter screamed in pain after falling down. He was unable to get up and had to be helped up and escorted to the dugout. Tests later revealed he had fractured his left ankle, ruling him out of the entire postseason.
Manager Joe Girardi said: "They talked about a three-month recovery period. Won't jeopardize his career, but he will not be playing any more for us this year. It is kind of a flashback to when Mo (Mariano Rivera) didn't get up.
"Oh, boy, if he is not getting up, something's wrong. We have seen what he played through in the last month and a half, and the pain he has been in, and how he found a way to get (through) it. So it brought back a flashback for me."
The Yankees who have won the AL East 13 times in the last 17 years will certainly face an uphill task from now on in the absence of their captain.
Mark Teixeira, the Yankees first baseman said: "I think we probably feel more for him than anyone else because we know how important it means to him personally."
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