Williams' 19th postseason HR shatters record

His three-run homer enabled the Yankees to surge away from the Marlins.
MIAMI (AP) -- Bernie Williams is always at his best in October. Just look at the numbers.
Williams busted open a tight game with a three-run homer in the ninth inning of the New York Yankees' 6-1 win over Florida Tuesday night.
The switch-hitting center fielder is now the most prolific slugger in postseason history. His 19th career postseason home run broke a major league record held by Reggie Jackson and Mickey Mantle.
"Very exciting," Williams said. "But I think this team has been very good on putting personal goals aside for the benefit of the team, and I think this should be no different. This is a nice note, but we're still looking at the big picture here."
Has 65 RBIs, too
Williams also has 65 RBIs in the postseason, surpassing David Justice's career mark of 63.
The extra rounds of playoffs have certainly helped him pile up those impressive statistics -- all of Mantle's homers came in the World Series. But that doesn't diminish what Williams has meant to the Yankees during his 13-year career.
"I'm not sure about the record," manager Joe Torre said. "I think it's tough to compare. ... Not that Bernie's numbers aren't terrific, but I think they should be separate categories."
Williams has helped the Yankees to nine straight playoff berths and owns four World Series rings. He was the MVP of the 1996 AL championship series against Baltimore.
Hampered by injuries
Now 35, Williams has been slowed by knee and shoulder injuries the past few seasons. He missed 42 games this year following left knee surgery, but he still rises to the occasion in October.
The five-time All-Star is 4-for-11 (.364) in this World Series with two homers and four RBIs.
"It feels very gratifying, obviously," Williams said. "And especially after this year, very frustrating having the knee surgery and then trying to heal while playing at the same time."
He wasn't the only hitter in the middle of the lineup to come through once the Yankees got 23-year-old Florida ace Josh Beckett out of the game.
Matsui breaks tie
Hideki Matsui snapped an eighth-inning tie with a two-out RBI single off rookie Dontrelle Willis. Matsui, who hit a three-run homer in the first inning of Game 2, grounded a single between third and shortstop, scoring Jeter as Yankees owner George Steinbrenner pumped his first in a luxury box.
Aaron Boone led off the ninth with a home run, and runners reached on a walk and a hit batsman.
Williams sent a pitch from Braden Looper over the center-field fence for a 6-1 lead.
"Bernie Williams, again, he's that guy that just appears like he's not paying attention and all of a sudden he'll explode," Torre said.