AL EAST Jeter's catch highlights Yankees' win over Sox

He hurtled himself into the stands to make a 12th-inning out against Boston.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Bloodied and bruised, Derek Jeter showed just why the New York Yankees always seem to come out ahead of Boston.
The All-Star shortstop made one of the greatest plays of his championship career, hurtling headfirst into the stands at full tilt for a catch that ended the 12th inning.
While he was on his way to a hospital, the Yankees rallied past the Red Sox 5-4 in the 13th on Thursday night for a stirring sweep.
Back and forth
Manny Ramirez homered twice, including a leadoff shot in the top of the 13th. But with two outs in the bottom half, Miguel Cairo hit a tying double and scored on pinch-hitter John Flaherty's single.
"The stomach, the heart, there was no quitting," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "Jeter, of course, scared the hell out of everybody. Hopefully, he'll be all right."
Jeter left the ballpark with the face of a beat-up boxer, a bloodied chin and a red, swollen cheek. He also had a bruised shoulder.
Jeter's catch on pinch-hitter Trot Nixon's popup with runners on second and third stunned the 55,265 fans and also scared them. They gasped when the replay was shown on the video board of him flying over the photographers' well and into the seats.
"When he went into the stands, you knew he's going to get hurt," Cairo said. "You just hope it's not bad."
Jorge Posada was among several teammates that walked off with Jeter.
"He says he's playing tomorrow. That's the way Derek is, he has that intensity," Posada said.
Pedro Martinez got the game off to a hot start, hitting Gary Sheffield in the back with a pitch in the opening inning and riling up the sellout crowd. Yankees rookie Brad Halsey matched Martinez into the middle innings, and then the real drama began.
The Yankees extended their AL East lead over Boston to 81/2 games going into their Subway Series matchup this weekend at Shea Stadium. The Red Sox have lost eight of 11.
"I'm sure it's already an instant classic," Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon said. "We still believe we're going to win the World Series. It's never going to be easy in Boston."